Rioters loot stores in Frankfurt as Gen Z-led protests in Germany turn violent

Hooded rioters looted stores in Frankfurt late on Saturday after tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Germany’s biggest cities to demand better education and lower living costs.

The protests a wave of Gen Z-led demonstrations across Europe this year. In Serbia, student-led activism helped unseat the country’s longtime leader at the ballot box, while protests in France have descended into rioting and looting.

The German protests organised by the campaign group “Gen Z regelt” – “Gen Z takes charge” in German – took place in 34 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.

The group says it opposes compulsory military service and wants greater investment in education as many young Germans struggle with rising costs.