Gen Z plans Halloween marches across 34 German cities

A "Gen Z" collective in Germany has scheduled demonstrations for Saturday in 34 municipalities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. The timing coincides with Halloween festivities. Organizers anticipate that more than 160,000 individuals will participate in the rallies nationwide.

The group’s platform opposes compulsory military service and calls for increased funding for education. These demands stem from the financial strain many young Germans face due to rising living costs.

Authorities warn of extremist infiltration

German authorities expect the "Halloween Marches" to remain largely peaceful. However, they have issued warnings regarding attempts by extremist factions to exploit the movement, according to the English edition of Reuters.

The Federal Ministry of Interior stated that segments of the far-left current in Germany, along with certain groups linked to foreign extremist movements, have joined efforts to mobilize support.

Roman Posek, the interior minister for the state of Hesse, referenced recent unrest in France as a cautionary example. He noted that images of looting, arson targeting homes and police vehicles, and assaults on officers are still fresh in public memory. Posek emphasized that France should not serve as a model for such events.

Security measures in Berlin

In Berlin, businesses located along the upscale Kurfürstendamm shopping street took precautionary steps ahead of the protests. Some shops boarded up their windows with wooden planks and planned early closures amid fears of potential disturbances.

These demonstrations occur while Germany struggles to revive economic growth. The country faces mounting pressure on pension systems and public services as the baby boomer generation retires and the working-age population shrinks. This wave of Gen Z-led protests follows similar movements across Europe.