More than 100,000 students protest in Germany against cuts and conscription

Mass protests against cuts and conscription

More than 100,000 students took to the streets of German cities on Saturday, protesting against cuts in government spending and the government's plans to revive compulsory military service. The rallies, organized by the Gen Z Regelt movement, were mostly peaceful, Anadolu reports. Thousands of people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, but turnout turned out to be lower than expected: organizers had announced 10,000 participants, while police counted up to 5,000 at the peak.

Demands and slogans

Protesters carried placards reading 'Chancellor Merz must go', 'Your austerity policy is costing us our future', 'No to cuts and military budgets'. Participants demanded increased funding for education and public services instead of growing military spending. In their speeches, representatives of student groups criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government for its healthcare and pension system reforms and its approach to the climate crisis. The new military service law, which introduces mandatory medical examinations, also came under separate criticism: according to the speakers, it is paving the way for the imminent introduction of compulsory conscription.

Voices of participants and the French experience

Many participants said they were inspired by student protests in France, as well as in Belgium and Italy, and believe that mass street rallies can force politicians to listen to them. Sixteen-year-old Sophie described the problems at her school caused by a lack of funding and teachers: 'Our windows don't even close.' Seventeen-year-old Anastasia said she was speaking out primarily against compulsory military service. A number of demonstrators expressed solidarity with students in other countries: some wore keffiyehs and carried Palestinian flags in support of the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Peaceful nature and a split in support

Before the rally, the media questioned the Gen Z Regelt movement, and security agencies warned of possible violence. The organizers emphasized their commitment to a peaceful format. Berlin police reported that the rally at the Brandenburg Gate passed 'practically without incidents'. Turnout was lower than expected in the capital and a number of other cities because some organizations withdrew their support: the largest student organization BSK and Jusos — the youth wing of the centrist SPD — cited the lack of transparency of the initiative and the difficulty of reaching the organizers. Meanwhile, the Greens and the Left Party expressed support for the protests.