German Youth Take to the Streets on Halloween Over Education and Living Costs

Young Germans are expected to fill public squares today, with organisers predicting turnout above 160,000. The campaign group Gen Z regelt, which means Gen Z takes charge, has called rallies in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. Its supporters want more money spent on schools and universities, and they reject compulsory military service while everyday costs keep climbing.

Why Gen Z Regelt Is Protesting

Germany’s economy is struggling to regain momentum, and pensions and public services are under growing strain as baby boomers retire and fewer people of working age remain. Steve, an 18 year old due to speak in Munich, accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz of answering young people only with more cuts and heavier burdens. He promised they will keep using their right to assemble until someone listens. Sean Baker, a student at the Technical University of Berlin, plans to join to draw attention to campus buildings so run down that they feel abandoned.

Security Fears and Doubts About the Movement

Authorities expect a mostly peaceful day, but the federal interior ministry says parts of the far left scene and groups tied to foreign extremist movements have helped mobilise support. Roman Poseck, interior minister of Hesse, pointed to the looting, arson and attacks on police seen in France and said that example should not be followed. Some shops along Berlin’s Kurfuerstendamm boarded up windows or planned early closures. Similar youth protests have appeared across Europe this year, and in Serbia student activism helped remove a long serving leader at the ballot box.

Questions remain over who really steers the campaign, given the wide mix of political and civil society groups involved. The national school student body BSK has distanced itself from Gen Z regelt. Its secretary general, Amy Kirchhoff, said the organisation backs students’ legitimate concerns, and it plans a separate protest day on November 20.