Youth protests over living costs spread across Europe, turning violent in Germany and France

A wave of youth-led protests over the cost of living has spread across Europe, with demonstrations turning violent in Germany, France and Switzerland over the weekend.

Germany

Tens of thousands of mostly young people marched in Germany's biggest cities on Saturday, October 31, demanding lower living costs and better funding for education. The protests were largely peaceful during the day but were followed by a night of unrest. More than 200 people were detained, shops were looted and police officers were injured.

In Frankfurt, at least two stores were looted and police said some rioters threw petrol bombs at officers. In Hamburg, police used water cannon and tear gas after protesters fired pyrotechnics and set barricades alight. Clashes were also reported in Berlin and Cologne.

"We all have those images from France in our minds: looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles, and attacks on police officers," said Roman Poseck, interior minister of the state of Hesse.

Germany's interior ministry said parts of the far-left extremist scene had tried to join the protests.

France

In France, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets for a third consecutive weekend, according to reports. In Paris, police said rioters threw petrol bombs at officers at the end of a march, injuring three and setting a car on fire. Authorities said the day was calmer than previous weekends.

Unions have called a nationwide strike for Thursday, November 5, over rising living costs.

Beyond

Youth demonstrations inspired by those in France turned violent in Zurich and Basel in Switzerland on Saturday night, and police were deployed in The Hague in the Netherlands after online calls to protest.

What the protesters want

Demonstrators cite high prices, underfunded schools and universities, the climate crisis and, in Germany, a possible return of compulsory military service. Many say the system has not delivered the security their parents' generation enjoyed, with housing and everyday costs rising faster than wages.

Why it matters

Similar youth-driven movements, often organised through social media and labelled "Gen Z protests", have shaken governments in Asia, Africa and Latin America over the past two years. Their arrival in Europe's largest economies is a warning to governments already under pressure from high energy prices, slow growth and the rise of populist parties.