Germany's Gen Z takes to streets in more than 30 cities

Police used pepper spray and water cannons during demonstrations held across Germany at the call of the “Gen Z regelt” initiative. Barricades were set on fire in Hamburg, windows at a gun shop were smashed in Frankfurt, and dozens of people were detained in Berlin.

The Turkiye Times Editorial DeskNovember 01, 2026, 04:47 PMUpdated: November 01, 2026, 10:36 PM

Germany's Gen Z takes to streets in more than 30 cities

Demonstrations were held in more than 30 German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne, at the call of the youth initiative “Gen Z regelt,” meaning “Gen Z is taking charge.” The protests, which coincided with Halloween night, turned into clashes with police in several cities.

Prenzlauer Berg tense in Berlin

In the capital Berlin, about 5,000 people attended the main demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate, according to police, while organizers put the figure at 10,000. Demonstrators then gathered at Rosenthaler Platz and marched to the Prenzlauer Berg district; smoke bombs and fireworks were set off along the route. Police used pepper spray against demonstrators near the Prenzlauer Allee railway station, where the march ended. Berliner Zeitung reported that police detained 56 people in Prenzlauer Berg. About 1,500 police officers were deployed across the city.

Demonstrators holding torches and waving flags during a night protest (AA)

Gun shop in Frankfurt, cathedral square in Cologne

Frankfurt police said demonstrators threw stones and fireworks at officers, injuring at least one police officer. Windows at a gun shop on Berliner Straße were smashed, one suspect was detained, and two firearms were seized. Bild reported that a shoe store was also looted. Police closed part of Zeil Street in the city center.

In Hamburg, demonstrators built barricades and set them on fire; police used water cannons and pepper spray in the city. In Cologne, police ended the protest because demonstrators had covered their faces and were throwing fireworks. Bottles and bicycles were thrown at police in the square in front of Cologne Cathedral, and five people were detained. In Nuremberg, about 100 people from a group that wanted to march were detained after a demonstration attended by about 2,000 people.

Demands focus on education, rent and conscription

The initiative is calling for better education, affordable housing and living costs, increased healthcare spending, and addiction and psychotherapy support for young people. It opposes compulsory military service and cuts to social programs. Organizers told DPA that more than 100,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country. The initiative will hold its next protest on November 20.

AfD blames “uncontrolled migration”

Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, argued that the incidents in the country were the result of an uncontrolled migration policy. Weidel said, “The protests must produce new results. Only we can do that.”

In a written statement issued before the demonstrations, Weidel also described the protests as the left marching against the consequences of its own policies. She argued that uncontrolled migration was placing pressure on the education and social systems and the housing market, while climate policies were making life more expensive.

Photos and video: Anadolu Agency (AA)

Germany's Gen Z takes to streets in more than 30 cities