The Gen Z regelt group, which organized nationwide protests in Germany on Saturday and Sunday, announced new protests to be held on November 14 after violent unrest occurred. The group issued a statement distancing itself from the unrest and riots that took place in some cities following these protests.
Analysis of Protests and Demands
A spokesperson for the group stated in an interview: "Today, 100,000 people showed why they came to the streets," adding that participation estimates in six to eight cities will be released soon. Gen Z regelt plans to hold protests in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich, emphasizing the need for increased funding for schools, addiction treatment, and psychotherapy.
Read more: Gen Z protests in Germany faced violence
Response to Unrest and Officials' Reactions
The German police confirmed that the protests were generally peaceful, and the subsequent unrest and riots were caused by actions taken by extremists. Andreas Raskov, head of the Federal Police Union, stated: "The Gen Z protests were very peaceful," adding that the groups responsible for the violence included autonomous individuals and, in some cases, masked people.
In Frankfurt, the unrest led to the destruction of shop windows and attacks on police. More than 30 people were arrested during these incidents, and police cordoned off parts of the city center. Additionally, Boris Rhein, the Prime Minister of Hesse, expressed concern over the violence that occurred in Frankfurt, stating: "These acts of foolishness have no place in our society."
IG Metall Union Strikes
Meanwhile, the IG Metall union began limited strikes in the metalworking and electrical sectors starting at midnight on Sunday. These strikes initially involved about 300 night workers in the Rhineland-Palatinate state and are expected to expand across Germany next week. The union is demanding a 5% wage increase and job security.
In the second round of negotiations, employers proposed a one-time payment and a 1.3% increase in July 2028, which faced strong opposition from the union. Christiane Benner, the union's president, announced larger strikes, stating: "The proposal presented at workplaces has been met with indifference."
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