The Gen Z movement in Germany is seeking to hold protests in 23 cities across the country by launching a social campaign titled "Gen Z regelt" (Gen Z is organizing it). This initiative comes amid concerns about the potential for unrest similar to what has recently occurred in France.
Reasons for Youth Discontent
Generation Z generally refers to the generation born between 1995 and 2010. Many young people feel that their parents' generation has failed to combat climate change and that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening day by day. They are also concerned about their educational and career futures in Western societies.
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The protests in France, which initially began largely peacefully, quickly escalated into serious unrest. During these disturbances, vehicles were set on fire in several cities, and in Limoges, the town hall was set ablaze. In the cities of Lille, Lyon, and Toulouse, police used tear gas, and many protesters were arrested.
Concerns of German Politicians
Many German politicians, especially members of the Christian Democratic Union led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have warned about the possibility of scenes like those in France repeating in Germany. Alexander Throm, spokesperson for the CDU parliamentary group on internal affairs, told the "Handelsblatt" newspaper: "We must prevent at all costs a repeat of the scenes we saw in France."
He also warned that extremist left groups and criminals from migrant communities might seize these protests for their own purposes. Mark Heinrichmann, head of the parliamentary oversight committee for Germany's intelligence services, also expressed concern, stating that left-wing extremist scenes are internationally connected and coordinated.
Preparation for Protests
Sebastian Kuss, a sociologist at the University of Constance whose research focuses on youth and protest movements, believes that Germany will not face unrest on the scale of what occurred in France. He emphasized that these protests are well-planned and organized, and the relevant website stresses peaceful protests.
Kuss also added that extremist groups might exploit these authorized protests to create unrest, and thus, police and public officials' preparedness is very important.
Quentin Gartner, a 19-year-old biotechnology student in Heidelberg and former secretary-general of the Federal Student Conference, also stated: "We can no longer wait. The performance of German students is declining, and investment in school buildings has been virtually nonexistent for years."
Response from Opposition Parties
Opposition parties in Germany have also acknowledged the concerns of young people. Felix Banazak, co-chair of the Green Party, said in an interview with a German television network: "The intergenerational contract no longer works. Older generations have led the climate to a dead end." As of Tuesday, around 134,000 people have registered to participate in the protests, and this number may increase in the coming days.
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