Germany Protests Turn Violent as Riots and Looting Erupt in Major Cities

Protests over the rising cost of living, underfunded public services and compulsory military service turned violent in several German cities on Saturday, with reports of looting, clashes and attacks on emergency workers.

Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg recorded incidents of unrest following demonstrations organised by the youth campaign group Gen Z regelt, meaning “Gen Z takes charge”. Police used water cannons in some locations to disperse protesters who threw fireworks, stones and bottles at officers and emergency personnel.

Violence and Arrests in German Cities

In Frankfurt, police reported widespread violence in the city centre, where shop windows were smashed and several businesses were looted. A gun shop was also targeted, with authorities recovering two weapons after arresting a suspect.

Police said Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency services, while special units were deployed to contain the unrest. Several arrests were made, and a major shopping street was temporarily closed.

In Berlin, police reported that 27 officers were injured and up to 56 people were temporarily detained. In Cologne, officers were attacked with bottles and a bicycle, while Hamburg recorded fireworks, burning barricades and about 120 arrests, according to public broadcaster NDR.

What Sparked the Demonstrations?

Thousands of people took part in largely peaceful demonstrations earlier in the day, protesting against the high cost of living, cuts to public spending, inadequate funding for schools and concerns over compulsory military service.

Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the movement was focused on peace, freedom and a fairer distribution of social responsibilities.

She stressed the need for stronger investment in healthcare and education, adding that the protesters opposed compulsory military service and wanted a fairer sharing of the burden on citizens.

Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt condemned the violence and called for harsh punishments for those involved in rioting and looting.

Protests Spread Across Europe

The unrest in Germany coincided with demonstrations across Europe, including France, where more than 320,000 people reportedly took part in largely peaceful protests demanding action on living costs and declining public services.

French authorities reported more than 770 arrests, while police officers were injured during clashes in some cities. Demonstrations also took place in Italy and Portugal, with reports of confrontations between protesters and security forces.

Across several European countries, young demonstrators have increasingly taken to the streets over concerns about affordable housing, education, employment prospects and cuts to public services.

Although the demands differ between countries, the protests reflect growing frustration among young people over economic pressures and the quality of public services.

BBC News