Cost-of-living protests in Germany turned violent on Saturday evening with police using water cannons to disperse crowds and masked rioters smashed shop windows, as officials warn the day of rallies organized by a youth-led movement was infiltrated by extremist factions.
Saturday’s action across Germany, organized by the ‘Gen Z has got this!’ movement, railed against the high cost of living, underfunding in education, environmental concerns and a potential reintroduction of mandatory military service. It follows a wave of similar protests which have swept Europe, including significant unrest in France, which saw a third straight weekend of rallies.
