Germany's Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has firmly censured the episodes of violence recorded on the night of this Saturday in several cities in the country, following the youth mobilizations held in around thirty German localities, which during the day had peacefully brought together tens of thousands of demonstrators. Dobrindt has underlined that those involved in the riots will have to answer before Justice.
The Interior chief has attributed the incidents to "violent" left-wing groups and to individuals from migrant backgrounds, whom he has reproached for having taken advantage of the protests to carry out acts of vandalism. "The rioters and looters will be identified and will have to answer for their actions," he declared to the newspaper "Bild", insisting that this type of conduct will be prosecuted and harshly sanctioned.
Likewise, the minister has praised the performance of the security forces and has considered that the broad police operation deployed was decisive in stopping the escalation of violence. "Thanks to the great dedication of our Police officers, episodes of extreme violence such as those that occurred in Paris have been avoided," he highlighted.
The protests were organized by the Gen Z Regelt initiative (Generation Z takes charge), which promoted peaceful gatherings in more than 30 cities with the aim of demanding improvements in the education system, measures against the rising cost of living, and a strengthening of social justice policies.
Although the marches proceeded without incidents during the day, once night fell clashes and disturbances took place in different parts of the country, with particular intensity in Frankfurt and Cologne. In Berlin, some attendees threw bottles and firecrackers, while in several localities the Police used water cannons to disperse the most violent groups.
These events are part of a wave of riots linked to youth mobilizations in other European countries in recent weeks, with France as one of the settings where episodes of greater severity have been experienced.