German Protests Over Cost of Living Turn Violent in Several Cities
Shops were looted and clashes erupted in Frankfurt and other German cities as largely peaceful demonstrations against the cost of living and other grievances escalated into violence.
Rioters looted several shops in Frankfurt late Saturday, and clashes occurred in other German cities, including Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg, following mass protests against the cost of living. Police in Frankfurt reported "violent riots" in the city center, while authorities in other locations used water cannons to disperse crowds who targeted emergency workers with fireworks, stones, and bottles.
The demonstrations were organized by the campaign group Gen Z regelt, which translates to "Gen Z takes charge." Thousands participated in these protests to voice opposition to underfunding in schools, the high cost of living, public spending cuts, and compulsory military service.
These events in Germany follow similar youth-led mass protests in France, where over 320,000 people demonstrated on the same day. Organizers had estimated around 18,000 protesters in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, though authorities reported closer to half that number.
A spokesperson for Gen Z regelt, Lina Friedrich, stated that the demonstrations were aimed at "fighting for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion." She emphasized the group's focus on "better support for the health and education systems," and expressed opposition to compulsory military service, advocating instead for a "fairer distribution of the burden."