Gen Z protests in Germany: Is France-style violence looming?

Former German President Joachim Gauck appeared as a solo guest on the talk show hosted by Maybrit Illner, offering his assessment of the current political climate just days before mass protests by the Generation Z demographic are scheduled to take place across Germany. Gauck, who is 82 years old, addressed the question of whether Germany faces excessive pressure characterized by anger and a lack of confidence. He acknowledged the grievances of younger generations regarding neglected schools and the perception that politics overlooks them. However, he differentiated between age groups, noting that individuals aged 16 to 18 remain focused on themselves and their youthful anger, whereas older youths with vocational training or university degrees find it easier to assume civic responsibility and appreciate their freedom. Gauck directed criticism toward established parties for their failure during recent state elections in eastern Germany, specifically in Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin, where the Alternative for Germany party and the Left Party gained proximity to government power. He cited a severe communication deficit between professional politicians and voters, arguing that more closeness and listening are required. This critique extended to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whom Gauck described as having room for improvement in his communication style. Despite this observation, Gauck strongly defended Merz, labeling him a German patriot who recognizes problems and aims to save the nation. Gauck rejected accusations that Merz is an egoist and compared the current situation to the era of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, suggesting that Merz should emulate Schröder’s courage in implementing necessary reforms to secure the future, particularly given that the social state is unfundable if the economy suffers. Regarding the rise of the AfD in eastern states, Gauck stated that while he understood the sentiment among some voters favoring coalitions between the AfD and the CDU, such alliances are incompatible with the values of the Union party due to the AfD’s extremist positions. He noted that Germany remains a society in transformation, with distinct political cultures in the East and West, and that conservative life feelings in the East differ significantly from those in the West. Separate from the televised discussion, concerns are mounting regarding the upcoming weekend’s demonstrations, which have been organized by an initiative called "Gen Z regelt" in 23 cities nationwide. The movement targets issues including climate change, widening inequality, and declining educational standards. Quentin Gärtner, a 19-year-old biotechnology student in Heidelberg who previously served as secretary-general of the Federal Student Conference representing approximately 7.5 million students, stated that young people have exhausted their patience with the education system. He highlighted declining student performance, cuts to teaching staff, and a lack of investment in school infrastructure. Gärtner argued that politicians prioritize electoral interests over addressing the concerns of younger demographics. Political figures, particularly within Chancellor Merz’s Christian Democratic Union, have expressed alarm over the potential for violence reminiscent of recent unrest in France. In France, initially peaceful protests escalated into serious disturbances, resulting in cars being set on fire, the torching of a town hall in Limoges, and the deployment of tear gas in cities including Lille, Lyon, and Toulouse, leading to numerous arrests. Alexander Throm, the CDU parliamentary group’s domestic affairs spokesperson, warned that scenes like those in France must be prevented at all costs. He suggested that far-left groups and criminals from immigrant communities might hijack the demonstrations, describing an ominous alliance forming, particularly in Berlin. Marc Henrichmann, chair of the Bundestag’s parliamentary oversight panel for intelligence services, added that the far-left extremist scene is internationally connected and coordinated, with violent activists crossing national borders to commit acts of violence and looting. However, sociologist Sebastian Koos of the University of Konstanz, who specializes in youth and protest movements, does not anticipate unrest in Germany on a scale comparable to France. Koos pointed out key differences, noting that unlike in France, the German protests are not driven by the same level of anger. Instead, they have been officially registered, carefully organized, and emphasize a non-violent approach through their digital platforms. Nevertheless, Koos acknowledged that extremist groups could potentially exploit the authorized demonstrations to incite disorder, emphasizing the importance of police and public authorities being well-prepared. In a related parliamentary incident in Berlin, tensions flared during the election of vice-presidents for the local parliament. Martin Trefzer, a candidate proposed by the AfD faction, received 40 affirmative votes despite the AfD holding only 29 seats. Green Party member Elina Schumacher accused eleven members of the CDU faction of voting for the AfD candidate, stating this constituted a third of the CDU group and represented a major scandal because it indicated a lack of a stable barrier against the AfD. Trefzer ultimately failed to secure the position. This incident echoes previous controversy in Saxony-Anhalt, where an AfD candidate for parliament speaker received four more votes than the combined total of AfD and BSW deputies, prompting accusations that additional votes came from the CDU. The CDU had adopted a resolution in 2018 excluding cooperation with both the AfD and the Left Party. In the Berlin parliament, Hendrikje Klein of the Left Party was elected as the new president of the house, receiving 98 votes from 149 attendees present. She becomes the first politician from her party to hold the office and the third woman to serve in the role, following Hanna-Renate Laurien and Cornelia Seibeld. Cornelia Seibeld of the CDU serves as one vice-president, while the second vice-presidential post remains vacant following the rejection of the AfD candidate.