Thousands demonstrate in Berlin against conscription and for school funding

Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Saturday for a protest rally organized by the youth initiative Gen Z regelt. According to Euronews, police estimated that around 5,000 people joined the demonstration, while organizers claimed that approximately 11,000 participants took part during the afternoon. [1]

The organizers promised a peaceful rally, which began at 2 p.m. Protesters called for greater investment in education and climate protection, affordable living costs, an end to rearmament, and no compulsory military service. Pro-Palestine activists, flags, and slogans were also prominently visible among the crowd, Euronews reported. [1]

The student initiative emerged in response to proposed reforms by the federal government of Friedrich Merz regarding the possible reintroduction of compulsory military service in Germany. The movement aims to encourage debate on youth participation in politics and militarization, following four previous protests across several German cities that attracted tens of thousands of participants. [2]