Tens of thousands of young people across Germany took to the streets on Saturday to protest against rising living costs, cuts to public spending, and plans to reinstate military conscription, with demonstrations occurring in more than 30 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, and Cologne. Organizers estimate that around 100,000 people participated, with many rallies led by the youth group Gen Z regelt (Gen Z has got this!).

While much of the daytime protests were peaceful, violence erupted in several locations as some protesters clashed with police and engaged in acts of vandalism and looting. Frankfurt, the country's financial center, experienced some of the worst disturbances. There, masked individuals broke into shops, including a gun store from which weapons were seized by police, as well as a trainer store and a perfume shop. Protesters reportedly threw stones, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails at law enforcement, who responded with water cannons and pepper spray. Over 100 police officers were reported injured during the unrest in Frankfurt, and local authorities arrested 54 individuals aged between 13 and 29 in connection with the incidents. Police also used water cannons in Hamburg and Cologne to disperse crowds after similar confrontations.

In Berlin, protesters blocked trams, threw bottles and fireworks at officers, and spray-painted graffiti on buildings. Despite these clashes, the main demonstration near the Brandenburg Gate retained a significant peaceful contingent. Lina Friedrich, a spokesperson for Gen Z regelt, reiterated the group’s opposition to violence, emphasizing their commitment to peaceful protest. However, some participants expressed frustration at what they perceive as political inattention. “If no one is listening to us, I don’t understand why protests should not also turn violent,” said Sophie S, a 23-year-old student at the Berlin rally.

The protests are driven by grievances common to youth movements across Europe, including concerns over education funding, economic pressures, and opposition to Germany’s plan to revive military conscription, which is scheduled for a nationwide rollout by July 2027 targeting young men born in 2008 or later. Some protesters view conscription as forcing their generation into potential armed conflict amid increasing global tensions.

German officials condemned the violence but urged recognition of the underlying issues raised by the demonstrations. Boris Rhein, premier of the state of Hesse, described the attacks on police and shops as “extreme violence” that would have consequences, while at the same time cautioning against allowing these acts to overshadow legitimate demands. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt attributed much of the unrest to “leftist groups inclined to violence and troublemakers from migrant communities” but said the disturbances were less severe than recent unrest in Paris.

Elsewhere in Europe, similar protests took place in France, where authorities deployed a heavy police presence in response to concerns about potential violence. Although about 320,000 people protested nationwide, security forces prevented a repeat of the large-scale riots and looting seen in mid-October, making multiple arrests and closely monitoring protests in major cities.

The German protests reflect ongoing frustration among younger generations about economic and social policies, while the outbreak of violence has sparked debate on how best to address these grievances without allowing disorder to dominate the public discourse. Political figures from various parties, including the far-left Die Linke and the Greens, have called for focusing on peaceful protest and dialogue, warning that violence undermines the broader aims of the youth-led movement.