German students list demands in open letter to Merz ahead of protests

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - A new German youth initiative published an open letter on Thursday, outlining its demands of Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations to protest the government’s policies.

“We can no longer stand by and watch as you gamble away our future. Your austerity policies are stripping us of all hope,” the Gen Z Regelt (Gen Z handles it) group said in an open letter published online.

The student group criticized cuts to social spending, the government’s handling of the climate crisis, its failure to address young people’s concerns about wars and conflicts, and plans to revive military conscription.

“All this is happening while you refuse to listen to us, do not take our fears seriously, or consider our objections. We’ve had enough,” the group said. “Your policies are driving our future into a dead end! That is why, on October 31st, we are taking to the streets in over 20 cities—peacefully, loudly, and with determination.”

The initiative, made up of high school and university students, apprentices and young professionals, is planning major protests in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne, with additional protests planned in 27 other cities. More than 150,000 people have already registered online, according to the organizers.

The youth group stressed that the marches will remain peaceful. Their demands of Chancellor Merz and his coalition government start with “money for schools instead of cuts” and “an affordable life,” with people’s concerns placed at the top of the agenda. They also called for a fairer distribution of burdens “instead of saving on the younger generation,” a clear “no to conscription,” stronger protection of fundamental rights “instead of expanding surveillance,” and serious climate protection measures so that young people could have a future.

Ayhan Şimşek