Sunday, November 01, 2026

Riots and Looting Overshadow Nationwide Protests in Germany | DW News

Nov 1, 2026 | Youth-led protests across Germany have been overshadowed by riots, looting and violent clashes with police. In Frankfurt, shops were ransacked and police attacked with Molotov cocktails, while disturbances also erupted in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.

Tens of thousands of young Germans took to the streets to protest against rising living costs, poor education and Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government.

Inspired by France's youth protest movement, the demonstrations were organised under the banner 'Gen Z regelt'. But who was behind the violence? And could Germany's Gen Z protests grow into a powerful political movement, or will the unrest undermine their momentum?