In Germany, on Saturday 31 October 2026, large-scale youth protests began against the possibility of compulsory military service, increases in military spending and cuts to social welfare funding. The demonstrations, organised by the Gen Z regelt (\u00abGeneration Z Takes Matters into Its Own Hands\u00bb) movement, took place in 34 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Munich. According to police, around 5,000 people gathered in Berlin, and over 3,000 in Stuttgart. Most of the demonstrations were peaceful, though the use of fireworks and breaches of public order were reported in some places, according to Reuters and German media.<\/p>\n
The largest demonstrations are taking place in Berlin, Hanover, Stuttgart, Hamburg and other major cities across the country. The organisers had estimated around 182,000 potential participants across Germany, but the actual turnout in a number of cities turned out to be lower than expected.<\/p>\n
Near The Brandenburg Gate<\/a> In Berlin, the police estimated the number of demonstrators at around 5,000, whilst the organisers put the figure at 11,000. In Stuttgart, according to the police, more than 3,000 people gathered, whilst the organisers estimated the number of participants at around 12,000.<\/p>\n In Hanover, the police reported that there were 5,800 demonstrators. In Hamburg, according to estimates by NDR journalists, several thousand people took to the streets.<\/p>\n Some of the protesters came to Halloween costumes<\/a>. Communist symbols, flags of the former GDR and posters calling for the resignation of Chancellor Friedrich Merz could be seen at the demonstrations.<\/p>\n The youth initiative \u2018Gen Z regelt\u2019 has become the main organiser of the nationwide campaigns. Its representatives state that young people do not want to be left out of decisions that will shape their future.<\/p>\n Key demands include increased funding for schools, universities and healthcare services, more affordable housing, a reduction in the cost of living, stronger climate protection and the abolition of compulsory military conscription.<\/p>\n Participants are also criticising the rise in defence spending against the backdrop of funding problems for social programmes.<\/p>\n \u00abWe are here today to fight for peace and freedom, not for war and oppression<\/em>\u00bb, said a representative of Gen Z regelt in Berlin Lina Friedrich<\/strong> in a comment to Reuters.<\/p>\n Although most of the demonstrations were peaceful, there were incidents in some towns.<\/p>\n In Stuttgart, the police halted the march on several occasions due to participants with their faces covered, deviations from the agreed route and the use of fireworks. The police also reported that rubbish bins had been set alight and graffiti had been sprayed.<\/p>\n According to Reuters, barricades were set alight in Hamburg. Some shop owners in German cities had already fitted protective barriers to their shop windows in anticipation of unrest.<\/p>\n A separate evening protest was also held in Berlin under the slogan \u00abGen Z hat genug!\u00bb (\u2018Generation Z has had enough!\u2019). According to rbb, around 300 people gathered at Rosenthaler Platz. There were reports of firecrackers being thrown at police officers.<\/p>\n The organisers of the main daytime protest, \u2018Gen Z regelt\u2019, distanced themselves from this evening\u2019s demonstration and called on participants to act non-violently.<\/p>\n The changes to the system were the cause of the young people\u2019s dissatisfaction recruitment for the Bundeswehr<\/a>, which came into force on 1 January 2026.<\/p>\n Under the new legislation, all 18-year-old German citizens are issued with questionnaires to assess their fitness for military service. For men, completing these questionnaires is compulsory; for women, it is voluntary.<\/p>\n From 1 July 2027, a compulsory medical examination will be introduced for men born from 2008 onwards.<\/p>\nWhat are the protesters demanding?<\/h2>\n
Barricades, fireworks and clashes with the police<\/h2>\n
Has Germany reintroduced compulsory military service?<\/h2>\n