Youth protest movement ‘Gen Z regelt’ anticipates over 160,000 participants

The group is advocating for increased funding for schools, addiction support, and psychotherapy, as well as measures to combat rising living costs, promote social justice, and strengthen climate protection. They oppose mandatory military service and expanded state surveillance.

Demonstrations are scheduled in more than 30 cities, with dedicated organizing teams in Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich. While the central group isn’t responsible for the content or organization of events in other locations, they are promoting participation on their website. “Gen Z regelt” formed just a few weeks ago and comprises a core team of 30 individuals.

The group is distancing itself from individual events using the “Gen Z regelt” name, as numerous social media posts and channels reference the movement, not all of which speak on their behalf.

The National Student Conference has distanced itself from the protests, citing “opaque organizational structures.”

Organizers of “Gen Z regelt” are explicitly calling for peaceful protests and rejecting all forms of violence. Their website states that extremist groups and unconstitutional symbols are not welcome at their demonstrations. They warn against bringing glass, weapons, or provoking the police, and remind participants of the ban on masks at demonstrations. Recent protests in France have been marred by violence, looting, and arson.

Some businesses in Germany’s retail sector have temporarily closed in anticipation of the protests, fearing damage or disruption.

Security authorities have found no evidence of calls for violence or planned violent acts related to the protests. However, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry stated that “parts of the left-wing extremist scene and isolated groups from foreign-related extremism” have adopted the protest calls to participate.

A representative of “Gen Z regelt” criticized the focus on concerns about violence, stating, “It shows that our point – that we are not taken seriously and not heard – is correct. Because no one wants to deal with our content; it’s always just the issue of violence on the agenda.” This comment was made during a press conference in Cologne.

Katharina Dröge, parliamentary group leader for the Green Party, understands the anger of young people and calls for greater attention to their criticism. “Young people are rightly angry because the federal government is not taking their concerns seriously enough and failing to provide them with answers as to how they can shape their future,” she told the German Press Agency. The Left party supports the protests, with party leader Luigi Pantisano stating it is the right time to protest, referencing planned government reforms to care and pensions and describing them as “social cruelties.” Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD party, warned of potential extremist co-option, stating there is a “real danger” of demonstrations being “hijacked” by violent individuals from the left-wing and Islamist extremist milieu.