Gen Z protests across Germany demand education funding and lower living costs

Tens of thousands of young people took to the streets across Germany on October 31, 2026, inspired by similar youth movements in other European countries, according to France 24 and DW. The protests were organized by the collective "GenZ regelt!" ("Gen Z has got this!") and took place in at least 34 cities.

Demonstrators demanded increased funding for education, stronger climate protection, affordable living, and greater social justice. They also opposed a possible return to military conscription, DW reported.

The protests were largely peaceful during the day, but tensions escalated in the evening. Police used water cannons and pepper spray in several cities, including Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Cologne, after some protesters threw fireworks, stones, bottles, and eggs, France 24 reported.

In Frankfurt, following rioting and looting that included smashed shop windows and attacks on officers, police sealed off a major shopping street, DW reported. In Cologne and Stuttgart, police canceled or halted marches due to concerns over covered faces, pyrotechnics, and deviations from agreed routes.

The demonstrations reflect a broader wave of youth activism across Europe, with young people calling on political elites to address their concerns about the future, France 24 noted.