Germany is preparing for a wave of youth protests against the policies of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government. On October 31, thousands of school pupils, university students and young professionals are expected to take to the streets in major German cities, protesting cuts to social spending, the rising cost of living and plans to reintroduce compulsory military service.
At the forefront of the mobilisation is a new movement called “Gen Z Regelt” (Generation Z Takes Matters into Its Own Hands), which today published an open letter to Chancellor Merz, accusing the government of ignoring the concerns of younger generations and putting their future at risk.
“We can no longer stand by and watch you gamble with our future. Your austerity policies are taking away every last bit of hope we have,” the letter, published online, states.
The organisers strongly criticise the government’s economic policies, cuts to the social sector, the lack of sufficient measures to address the climate crisis, and the way authorities are responding to young people’s concerns about wars and international conflicts.
Another issue that has sparked opposition is the possibility of reintroducing compulsory military service, which young people consider unacceptable.
“All this is happening while you refuse to listen to us, take our fears seriously or consider our objections. We have had enough!” the letter states.
The movement warns that the October 31 demonstrations will be a show of determination by the younger generation to demand changes to government policies.
“Your policies are driving our future into a dead end! That is why, on October 31, we will take to the streets in more than 20 cities – peacefully, loudly and determinedly,” the organisers declare.
According to the initiative, the main demonstrations are planned in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne, while rallies are also expected to take place in 27 other German cities. The organisers claim that more than 150,000 people have already registered online to join the protests, although this figure does not yet represent actual attendance.
At the centre of their demands are increased funding for education, affordable living conditions and a fairer distribution of the economic burden. Young people are calling on the government not to address budgetary difficulties through cuts that, in their view, disproportionately affect younger generations.
They are also demanding stronger protection of fundamental rights, opposing the expansion of state surveillance and calling for concrete measures to combat climate change.
