Shops were looted and clashes erupted between protesters and police in several German cities on Saturday (31), as nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs, education funding cuts and compulsory military service turned violent.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg, in protests organised by the youth-led movement Gen Z regelt, meaning “Gen Z takes charge.”
According to Reuters, at least two stores were looted in Frankfurt, Germany’s financial hub, while several other businesses were damaged as masked rioters smashed shop windows and clashed with police.
Frankfurt Police reported that Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency services and urged members of the public to avoid the city centre as violence escalated.
Police also used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse violent crowds, while several officers were reportedly injured.
Incidents of violence were also reported in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg, where barricades were set on fire.
The demonstrations were largely peaceful during the day before tensions escalated in the evening.
Protesters called for greater investment in education and healthcare, measures to address rising living costs and opposition to compulsory military service.
The movement has also demanded a fairer distribution of economic burdens, arguing that younger generations are facing increasing financial pressure.
Speaking at a demonstration in Berlin, Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the movement was campaigning for peace and freedom rather than war and coercion.
According to Reuters, police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin reported a combined turnout of up to 18,000 demonstrators, while organisers claimed approximately 36,000 participants in those cities.
German authorities had earlier warned that extremist groups could attempt to exploit the demonstrations.
Despite the violence in several cities, most of the nationwide protests remained peaceful.
The demonstrations come amid a wider wave of youth-led protests across Europe over economic pressures, public services and political concerns. (Newswire)