Several German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, and Cologne, witnessed violent incidents during demonstrations organized by youth protesting cuts to social spending, rising living costs, and government amendments regarding military service.
Clashes in Berlin
The initiative "Generation Z Takes Over" organized protests on Saturday evening in more than 30 cities. Protesters gathered in the capital, Berlin, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, then marched towards the Prenzlauer Berg district, where they launched smoke bombs and set off fireworks. Police intervened violently near the Prenzlauer Allee train station, using tear gas to disperse protesters and arrest a large number of them.
Security interventions in other cities
Similar incidents occurred in Cologne, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, where police used riot vehicles to disperse demonstrators. In Hamburg, protesters erected barriers and set fires, while Frankfurt police dispersed a large demonstration using tear gas, resulting in the arrest of many participants.
Background of the legal amendments
According to the German Press Agency (DPA), more than 100,000 people participated in the protests. The demonstrations follow amendments approved by the German Parliament on January 1 last year, which include sending questionnaires to youth upon turning 18, subjecting men to mandatory medical examinations, while keeping voluntary enlistment as the primary method for joining the army in the first stage.
Political reactions
The government justifies these steps as necessary to enhance readiness to address security challenges amid European tensions. Conversely, the organizing initiative stated that youth believe the shift towards expanding military spending comes at the expense of more urgent domestic priorities such as education, housing, and social services.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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