German Gen Z Protests Over Austerity End In Looting And Clashes

Thousands of young people took to the streets across Germany to protest austerity, including rising living costs, cuts to public spending, underfunded schools and plans for compulsory military service.

The demonstrations were organised by Gen Z regelt, a campaign group whose name means “Gen Z takes charge”. Protesters called for better support for healthcare and education, as well as a fairer distribution of public burdens.

Group spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the movement wanted politicians to address the financial pressures facing young people and invest more in public services.

The rallies were largely peaceful during the day, but violence broke out late Saturday in several cities.

Frankfurt saw some of the worst unrest, with rioters smashing shop windows, breaking into stores and stealing items including trainers. Police said a gun shop was also targeted, with two weapons seized following the arrest of a suspect.

Authorities reported that fireworks, stones and bottles were thrown at emergency workers. Frankfurt police said Molotov cocktails were also hurled at emergency services, while special units were deployed and a section of the city’s main shopping street was closed.

Violence was also reported in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. Police used water cannons to disperse crowds in some locations and arrested several demonstrators.

Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told Bild that police had prevented violence on the scale seen recently in Paris and called for harsh penalties for those involved in rioting and looting.

The demonstrations came as more than 320,000 people reportedly joined youth-led protests in France on Saturday.