On October 31, mass youth protests took place in more than 30 German cities, with some demonstrations descending into clashes with police and rioting. That same evening, unrest erupted in Zurich and Basel, Switzerland, where demonstrators set barricades on fire, damaged vehicles and attacked police officers.
The incidents were reported by SRF and ZDF.
In Germany, demonstrations were held under the slogan “Gen Z regelt” (“Gen Z Takes Charge”). According to the organizers, more than 100,000 people participated. Protesters demanded better education, more affordable housing, a lower cost of living and greater influence for young people over political decisions. Other issues raised included climate policy, militarization and military service.
Most demonstrations began peacefully, but tensions escalated in several cities during the evening.
The most serious unrest occurred in Frankfurt am Main. Rioters threw stones and firecrackers at police officers, smashed shop windows and looted stores along Zeil, one of the city’s main shopping streets. Police cordoned off part of the city center and deployed more than 1,000 officers, including special units.
Around 100 people were detained for identification checks. Police reported extensive property damage, with the total cost still being assessed.
In Cologne, unrest broke out near Cologne Cathedral. Around 200 people were involved in clashes during which bottles and other objects were thrown at police officers. One person was injured, and five participants were detained.
In Stuttgart, demonstrators used pyrotechnics, deviated from the agreed route and threw objects at police. Officers used batons and tear gas, after which the demonstration was brought to an end.
In Hamburg, some participants set rubbish bins and construction barriers on fire. Police used a water cannon to extinguish one of the fires.
Meanwhile, the main demonstrations in Berlin, Munich and several other cities remained largely peaceful.
Unrest also broke out in Switzerland that evening. In Zurich, several hundred people gathered on Langstrasse at around 10:30 p.m. Far-left groups had called for the unauthorized demonstration, and some participants wore Halloween masks.
Near Langstrasse and Helvetiaplatz, demonstrators built barricades from rubbish containers, electric scooters and other objects before setting them on fire.
According to Zurich city police, rioters threw fireworks, stones and bottles at officers. Police responded with water cannons, chemical irritants and rubber pellets.
During the clashes, shop windows were smashed, the Stauffacher public transport stop was damaged, and a car was set on fire on Zwinglistrasse.
Shortly after midnight, a crowd attacked a police patrol that had been called to provide medical assistance to a teenager. The patrol car was damaged, and officers were forced to retreat before they could assist the injured teenager. The situation in Zurich had largely calmed down by around 1:30 a.m.
In Basel, around 150 people took part in an unauthorized demonstration through the city center. The protest began at 9:00 p.m. at Claraplatz, after which the procession crossed Mittlere Brücke and passed through Marktplatz towards the St. Johann district.
At St. Johanns-Platz, demonstrators erected barricades and set them on fire. After police intervened, participants fled into St. Johanns-Park, while firefighters extinguished the flames.
Public transport services in Basel were temporarily suspended because of the unrest, and road traffic was also disrupted. Property damage was reported along the demonstration route.
Organizers of the German protest movement “Gen Z regelt” said they intended to continue their campaign and join Europe-wide protests on November 20. However, no organizational link has been confirmed between the youth protests in Germany and the unrest in Switzerland.
