Gen Z protests reach Germany: 160,000 expected in 34 cities on Halloween

Gen Z protests reach Germany on Saturday 31 October, with organisers expecting more than 160,000 people in 34 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, Reuters reported in a story published by Dawn. The marches, timed for Halloween, are organised by Gen Z regelt ("Gen Z takes charge"), a youth movement inspired by a year of similar protests across Europe.

Germany (UTC+1) is four hours behind Pakistan, so afternoon rallies in Berlin fall in the evening here, from about 6pm PKT.

What they want

• More investment in education, from school buildings to universities.
• Lower living costs, which many young Germans say they can no longer meet.
• An end to plans for compulsory military service.

At a rally in Munich an 18-year-old protester, Steve, told Chancellor Friedrich Merz the movement would keep gathering "until you stop ignoring us". A Technical University of Berlin student said he would march over the state of campus buildings.

Warnings from the state

German authorities expect the day to be largely peaceful, but the federal interior ministry says parts of the far-left extremist scene, and groups linked to foreign extremist movements, have joined the push to mobilise. Hesse's interior minister Roman Poseck pointed to rioting in France and said "France must not be held up as a model." Some shops on Berlin's Kurfuerstendamm boarded up windows and planned to close early.

Not everyone young is on board. BSK, the national school students' umbrella body, has kept its distance from Gen Z regelt while backing its concerns, and plans its own protest day on 20 November. Questions have also been raised about who is really behind the movement, given the mix of political and civil groups involved.

The wider wave

The German rallies follow Gen Z-led protests across Europe this year. In Serbia, student activism helped unseat the long-time leader at the ballot box; in France, protests turned into rioting and looting. Germany faces slow growth and rising pressure on pensions as its working-age population shrinks.

For Pakistanis in Germany

Germany is home to a large Pakistani student community. If you are in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich today, expect road closures and crowded public transport around city centres, and keep your residence permit with you. Sending money home this month? Check the euro to rupee rate before you transfer.