Thousands demonstrate in Berlin against conscription and for education funding

A youth initiative called Gen Z regelt organized a protest rally at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Saturday. Euronews reported that the demonstration began at 2 p.m., with organizers claiming around 11,000 people took part. Police stated that approximately 5,000 people joined the crowd. [1]

Demonstrators called for increased spending on schools, climate protection, and affordable living costs, alongside an end to rearmament. Pro-Palestine activists, flags, and slogans were also visible at the gathering. Organisers promised the protest would remain peaceful. [1]

The protest action forms part of a broader student initiative in Germany opposed to reforms or the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service proposed by the federal government of Friedrich Merz. Student groups organized demonstrations and school strikes across several cities to debate militarization, Bundeswehr personnel levels, and youth political participation. [2]

The German demonstrations follow similar youth activism in Europe. As FTMQ News reported earlier, French students held nationwide protests starting in September 2026 over high school conditions, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to promise government measures. [3][4]