Young people in Germany are planning demonstrations in 23 cities for Oct. 31, tying demands for stronger public services and climate action to objections over conscription and cuts in public spending.
Gen Z regelt, one initiative mobilizing for the protests, lists events in 23 cities on its website. The group says it is directly organizing five demonstrations, while local groups are arranging the others. It says it is not responsible for the organization or content of events it does not run.
The campaign’s platform argues that public spending cuts place a heavier burden on young people while large companies continue to benefit. Its demands include more support for schools and health services, action on living costs and climate policy, and opposition to conscription and budget cuts.
Gen Z regelt’s materials point to youth protests in France, Belgium and Spain, as well as solidarity events in Germany supporting French students. EconoTimes previously covered the initiative’s call for demonstrations in 21 cities.
Isabelle Seltenreich, spokesperson for the Federal Student Conference, told Rheinische Post that the conference views the demonstrations positively only if they remain peaceful and democratic. She named school facilities, teacher availability and class size as areas for improvement, and said students’ backgrounds should not limit their educational opportunities.
Seltenreich also said the conference shared demands raised in protests in France and Italy, while warning that political groups could exploit the demonstrations. The Left co-chair Ines Schwerdtner used a video address to the Socialist Democratic Student Association (SDS) to urge cross-movement organizing in Germany, citing France, Anadolu Agency reported.
The demonstrations are scheduled for Oct. 31.
