Youth-led protests erupt across German cities

On Saturday, October 31, 2026, thousands of demonstrators participated in rallies across 34 German cities, including Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. Organised by the youth activist group “Gen Z regelt,” the protests were held to demand increased investment in education and lower living costs while expressing opposition to compulsory military service. These demonstrations are part of a broader wave of youth-led activism currently sweeping Europe, following notable events in Serbia and France.

Attendance figures provided by organizers and authorities differed significantly. While organizers estimated a turnout of 182,000, police reports from major cities accounted for approximately 6,000 participants, while the organisers' website claimed 36,000. German authorities characterized the protests as largely peaceful, despite concurrent Halloween celebrations, and warned that extremist groups might attempt to infiltrate the events. No further escalations were reported by the time of writing as the situation remains under monitoring.