German education minister urges youth to protest peacefully and engage in dialogue

Federal Education and Youth Minister Karin Prien has called on young people to express their concerns peacefully and enter into dialogue with policymakers. Speaking to Stern magazine ahead of Saturday's protests, she urged demonstrators to be loud and engage in political parties, but not to use violence. She said violence only harms their causes and invited them to talks.

The youth initiative Gen Z regelt plans demonstrations in around 30 cities on 31 October. Participants want more climate protection, measures against rising living costs, and an end to conscription. The group explicitly rejects violence.

“Be loud. Get involved in parties. But do not be violent.”

Prien compared conditions in Germany with those in France, where riots occurred during recent protests. She said German schools are in better condition, classes are smaller, teachers are better paid, and the country has a functioning vocational training system and significantly lower youth unemployment. She argued that concessions like those in France are unnecessary because these conditions already exist in Germany.

Burkhard Jung, president of the German Association of Cities and mayor of Leipzig, defended the planned demonstrations as legitimate. He said democracy depends on people expressing opinions, questioning decisions, and demanding change. He added that young people protesting on 31 October want to help shape their future and that their questions deserve answers.

Youth researcher Klaus Hurrelmann also urged politicians to take the concerns of the younger generation seriously. Prien's office did not announce specific policy measures in response to the protests.