The German authorities are in close contact with France and Italy, where there have been some violent protests in recent weeks.

Protests are expected to take place in numerous cities in Germany on Saturday. Who is protesting - and why? more

“Gen Z regulates” is calling for nationwide demonstrations on Saturday. Around 160,000 interested people announced their participation. The initiative organizes the demonstrations itself in Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich, and interested parties can join local initiatives in more than 30 other cities.

At a press conference in Cologne, the initiators made serious accusations against the federal government and called for decisive action to address the concerns of young people. "Mr. Merz, we will exercise our basic right to assemble until you stop ignoring us," said 18-year-old Steve.

He speaks for a youth that feels abandoned and is worried about losing touch. The Merz government has no other answer to these concerns “other than to continue making cuts and imposing further burdens on us.”

The initiators expect the largest protests to take place in Cologne. But there will also be rallies in other cities - for example in Berlin. Veronika Dinter, who helped organize the demonstration in Berlin, commented on the reason for the protests at an online press conference. "The situation of young people is precarious. Yet we are not being heard."

The initiators clearly distanced themselves from possible riots. They emphasized that they would like to see peaceful demonstrations - but can only speak for the large protests in Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg and Munich. The “Gen Z Regulates” initiative also emphasizes on its website that it rejects violence and property damage.

There is cross-party understanding for the concerns of “Gen Z”, i.e. teenagers and young adults. Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) encouraged the participants and at the same time appealed to them to defy possible provocations: "Be loud. Get involved in parties. But don't be violent," Prien told Stern. Of course, young people have legitimate concerns.

The youth policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, Jasmina Hostert, explained that it was about the central questions for the future in Germany. “We see the mission, will listen and advocate for the needs of the young generation.”

The former Green Party leader Ricarda Lang criticized the fact that before the protests there was primarily talk about possible violence instead of about the legitimate demands and fears of young people. Because they would grow up in a world of total uncertainty, she told the broadcaster ntv.

The Left also expressly expressed solidarity with the protests. Party leader Luigi Pantisano said it was exactly the right time for the demonstrations.