The key facts
- In Cologne, police used water cannons after the march of the 'Generation Z Decides' movement was canceled
- Demonstrations took place in more than 30 German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich
- Demands: education reform, fighting the rising cost of living, refusal to reinstate compulsory military service
Conflict in Cologne
In Cologne, Germany, police used water cannons against participants in youth protests. As reported by the T-Online portal, the unrest began after authorities banned the march at the last moment of the 'Gen Z Decides' (Gen Z regelt) movement, allowing activists only a stationary rally. Soon a conflict broke out between the gathered crowd and police officers, and law enforcement deployed special equipment. The moment the water cannons were used was captured on video published on X, which Life.ru cites.
Scale and demands of the movement
Youth demonstrations began in more than 30 German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich; the Gen Z regelt initiative had expected to gather around 160,000 participants across the country. Participants demand education reform, measures against the rising cost of living, a refusal to reinstate compulsory military service, as well as increased healthcare funding and stronger climate protection. The organizers insist on the peaceful and cross-party nature of the movement and express solidarity with protesters in France, Belgium and Spain.
Security measures
In Berlin, demonstrators marched to the Brandenburg Gate, where about one and a half thousand police officers maintained order. Law enforcement warned of the possible joining of extremist groups in the actions, and some shops preemptively boarded up their windows with wooden panels. Life.ru has compiled additional materials on mass protests and decisions by foreign authorities in the 'World Politics' section.
