Dobrindt warns left-wing extremists could hijack 'Gen Z' protests
Ahead of youth protests planned for 31 October in 21 German cities, Interior Minister Dobrindt (CSU) warns of left-wing extremists. Authorities are monitoring the situation daily.
Archive image · Photo: H-stt / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has warned that the announced "Gen Z" youth protests could be hijacked by left-wing extremists. "There is an extremist scene in Germany too," he told ZDF. "We are noticing that left-wing extremism is back with greater force." He said this applied to partner countries as well as to Germany.
The demonstrations are planned for 31 October. The alliance "Gen Z regelt" is calling for protests in 21 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne. It demands more investment in education and health, affordable living, the abolition of conscription and a greater say for young people in political decisions, citing the youth protests in France.
According to Dobrindt, there is daily monitoring and a continuously updated threat assessment, and authorities are preparing together with the federal states and security agencies. A clear distinction is being made between school students' demonstrations and what violent extremists might mobilise, he said. "One has to be vigilant," the minister added.