Inspired by the riots in France, student activists are now calling for similar protests in Germany on Saturday 31 October.
The student initiative ‘GenZ Regulates’ or ‘GenZ Stands Up’ has called for mass demonstrations in 21 cities across Germany on Saturday 31 October. They are concerned about climate change and measures to tackle the rising cost of living, and are also opposed to compulsory military service. They explicitly reject violence.
Die Linke party leader Ines Schwerdtner supports such protests, modelled on those in France, writes Die Welt.
“What works in France – bringing the various movements together – is something we must also do in Germany.”
It would therefore appear that the violent clashes, looting and widespread destruction we have seen in French cities – which have also spread to other European countries – do not seem to be frightening the leader of the radical Left Party.
Brandenburg’s Minister for the Interior, Jan Redmann (CDU), told WELT TV that he is “extremely concerned” about the planned Halloween protests. He does not believe the organisers’ claims that they reject violence.
“I do not believe the organisers’ claim that they will distance themselves from potential acts of violence. Why would they choose Halloween of all days for such an event?”
Germany has repeatedly seen Halloween marred by violence and other crimes in recent years.
It is difficult to understand why the same thing would not happen in Germany as in France: Even if some students want a peaceful demonstration for the climate and a better economy, it is almost certain to end with the crowds being infiltrated by large groups of immigrant hooligans and other violent extremists, such as Antifa.
The Federal Student Conference (BSK) nevertheless supports the planned protests, which are supposedly about better education. They view these protests ‘generally positively, provided they are peaceful and democratic’, said BSK spokesperson Isabelle Seltenreich to Rheinische Post. The BSK shares many of the demands that have also emerged from the protests in France.
“These include, amongst other things, better equipment and infrastructure in schools, enough teachers, smaller class sizes, better learning conditions and an education system that offers all young people equal opportunities regardless of their social background.”
However, whilst these may have been the demands of some of the first people to get involved and demonstrate, it is plain to see that this is by no means the case for the violent mob that has injured hundreds of police officers and caused extensive material damage in France.
Among other things, it was hardly poor-quality schoolbooks that prompted a 34-year-old far-left anarchist and carpenter to set fire to the town hall in Limoges.
S-listed far-left extremist arrested for the town hall fire in Limoges
The riots have spread from France to Italy and Belgium. There are also large demonstrations in Albania, with demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign. Reports are now emerging of riots in Greece as well.
🚨🇬🇷 | Now it’s Greece’s turn; Athens is going through ABSOLUTE HELL after hundreds of left-wing arsonists took to the streets to destroy everything in their path. The police had to intervene forcefully and fired tear gas at the rioters to prevent the kind of savagery seen in France. It really looks like a war zone.
— Carlo Martin (@Liberfach0) 21 October 2026
The ‘demonstrations’ in France, Italy and Belgium were quickly taken over by young people and a few adult troublemakers who appear to have chaos, violence and destruction as their sole objectives.
Giorgia Meloni sends 500 soldiers to combat the mob in Milan
Regarding Schwerdtner’s remarks to the students, CDU politician Redmann said:
“This sends a disastrous signal. It also means that they bear political responsibility for what happens here in Germany on the streets on the 31st.”
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of the Interior, Herbert Reul (CDU), also commented on the upcoming protests:
“Anyone in North Rhine-Westphalia who abuses protests to organise hatred and chaos will face a police force that will respond robustly. We will not accept a looting mob that destroys our cities.”
The federal chairman of the German Police Union, Jochen Kopelke, says that the German police are better equipped to deal with violent protests than their French counterparts.
“I believe the quality and professionalism of the German police are different.”
The “cordon” in Germany is more modern and much more focused on communication, Kopelke claims.
Almost 13,000 people in 21 towns have so far registered to take part in one of the demonstrations. It is reasonable to assume that far more will turn up.
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