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Thousands of people demonstrated across Germany on Saturday as a youth-led movement, inspired by protests in other European countries, took to the streets demanding better education and lower living costs.
These protests follow a wave of demonstrations led by members of Generation Z across Europe this year. In France, the protests escalated into riots and looting.
The demonstrations, organized by the group "Gen Z Rules," are scheduled to take place in 34 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. The group says it is calling for greater investment in education at a time when many young Germans are facing rising living costs.
Official figures released Saturday afternoon indicated that turnout was significantly lower than the organizers' initial estimate of 182,000. Police in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin reported around 6,000 participants, compared to approximately 36,000 listed on the organizers' website.
German authorities say they expect Saturday's demonstrations, coinciding with Halloween celebrations, to be largely peaceful, but have warned of attempts by extremist groups to exploit the movement.
Some businesses in German cities boarded up their storefronts and planned early closures ahead of the protests amid fears of potential disturbances, including along Berlin's Kurfürstendamm shopping street.
The protests come as Germany struggles to revive economic growth and faces increasing pressure on its pension system and public services due to a shrinking working-age population.
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