German students hold nationwide rallies against welfare cuts, conscription

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - More than 100,000 students took to the streets Saturday in Germany to protest the government's spending cuts and plans to revive military conscription, with rallies proceeding largely peacefully through the afternoon.

Thousands gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate in the capital, though turnout fell short of expectations. Organizers of the Gen Z Regelt movement announced that 10,000 people would take part, but police reported up to 5,000 participants at the peak.

Protesters carried banners that read: “Chancellor Merz must go”, “Your austerity policy is costing our future” and “No to cuts and war budgets.” Others held signs that said, “Support education”. “Invest in people, not war”. “Listen to Gen Z” and “Berlin is saving, the rich are laughing.”

The demonstrations drew students from universities and schools across the country, many of them calling for a shift in priorities away from military spending. Participants argued that years of cuts had left classrooms underfunded and public services strained, while plans to expand the armed forces moved forward.

- Students demand more funding for education

Michelle, a university student, said she joined to protest the government's austerity measures, its prioritization of big capital and the military budget while cutting welfare and social spending.

“We want to show solidarity with France, we want to reclaim our future, we want to fight for educational justice,” she told Anadolu. “Public spending is cut, and basically all the fields that we need for justice and for our future,” she added.

She urged the government to prioritize education funding over the military.

Representatives from student groups criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government during speeches for its reform plans on the health system and pensions, as well as its handling of the climate crisis.

Others condemned the introduction of a new military service law that requires compulsory medical examinations, saying the measure was intended to pave the way for mandatory conscription in the near future.

Anastasia, 17, said thousands of students took to the streets because they feel politicians do not hear them.

“I mostly protest against compulsory military service,” she told Anadolu. “I just don't think that we should send young kids into wars.” She added that further militarization was not a way to address conflicts. “I think compulsory military service isn't the solution.”

- Protests draw inspiration from France

Saturday’s actions followed similar student protests in other European countries, including France, Belgium and Italy. Many participants said demonstrations in France inspired them and believe large street actions can make politicians listen.

Sophie, a 16-year-old student, described daily problems caused by insufficient education budgets, teacher shortages and poor school infrastructure.

“We saw in France how they demonstrated and it worked,” she said. “So, I really hope we can change something as well. So, it's just the hope for a change, better change.” She added: “More budget for schools, for example, because our school is very bad, the windows can't even close.”

Speakers expressed solidarity with student groups worldwide. Several demonstrators wore kaffiyehs and some carried Palestinian flags to show support for people in the Gaza Strip.

Jean-Michel said he attended to oppose the government's policies, including higher defense spending while education remains underfunded.

“And I like also to show solidarity with all the school students anywhere in the world, like also in Lebanon, in Syria and Palestine where their schools have been bombed to the ground and mostly with the financial support of Germany as well as the moral and political support,” he said.

- Organizers stress peaceful demonstration

Ahead of the protest, media reports had questioned the Gen Z Regelt movement, and security officials had warned of possible violence. Organizers in Berlin responded by stressing their commitment to a peaceful demonstration and said the police were not their focus.

“The police are not our focus; we’re here because the political parties are all failing us,” said one organizer. “We are committed to keeping this demonstration peaceful.”

Berlin police said the rally at the Brandenburg Gate concluded without any serious incident. “At its peak, up to 5,000 participants took part,” officials said in a statement. “The event proceeded almost entirely without incident.”

Participation fell short of expectations in the capital and several other cities after some organizations withdrew support despite their initial backing of the protest call.

The largest student organization, the BSK, and the Jusos, the youth wing of the center-left SPD, cited a lack of transparency. They described the initiative as a loose internet-based coalition, noting that it was unclear who was behind the call and that organizers proved hard to reach ahead of local events.

The environmentalist Greens and the socialist Left Party, however, expressed support for the protests.

Ayhan Şimşek,Salman Ahmed