Cost-of-living protests that have spread through Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania and France are expected to reach Germany on Halloween, amid anger over deteriorating public services and economic pressures. A youth coalition, Gen Z regelt, has called demonstrations in more than 30 German cities, demanding greater investment in schools, climate protection and housing, and opposing a return to compulsory military service. More than 160,000 people had registered online by Friday, and about 10,000 were expected at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Organisers insist the rallies will be peaceful, while police said they had no evidence of coordinated looting plans. Political debate has focused on whether warnings about violence unfairly stigmatise young protesters or risk radicalising them.
France is bracing for renewed demonstrations after 410,000 people marched the previous weekend over low wages, living costs and failing public services. Students have joined unions and the yellow vest movement, arguing that government steps on university admissions and school repairs fall short. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez described Saturday as high-risk, with 70,000 police and gendarmes assigned to prevent unrest. Authorities warned of calls for violent gatherings after official marches, reinforced protection for shops and restricted many demonstrations from city centres. In Paris, organisers are challenging bans on two planned central marches; only a march in the southeast has been authorised. A nationwide strike is scheduled for 5 November.
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