Frankfurt shops looted after largely peaceful protests across Germany

Tens of thousands of people joined mostly peaceful demonstrations across Germany on Saturday against high living costs and cuts to public services. Later, violence broke out in several cities, and shops were looted in central Frankfurt.

The protests were called by Gen Z regelt, a youth campaign group seeking more investment in schools and opposing compulsory military service. Demonstrators also raised concerns about housing, healthcare and public spending cuts.

In Frankfurt, police estimated that 8,000 people joined the afternoon march, while organisers put the figure at 10,000. Local broadcaster Hessenschau reported that the protest was initially peaceful, but police stopped the procession several times after fireworks were set off. Officers used pepper spray and a water cannon before dissolving the gathering at about 6.20pm.

Hessenschau said the situation escalated roughly an hour and a half later. Its reporters said most of those involved in the later disorder were believed not to have taken part in the march. Frankfurt police said shop windows were smashed and Molotov cocktails thrown at emergency services.

Gen Z regelt repeated its opposition to violence and expressed regret over the end of the Frankfurt demonstration.

The situation in Frankfurt calmed overnight, police said. By Sunday morning, officers had reported at least 30 provisional arrests during the night, according to ZDF. A police spokesperson said the damage was substantial but had not yet been assessed.

In Cologne, police cancelled a planned march because some participants had set off fireworks and covered their faces. Officers later used water cannon to disperse a crowd. Incidents and arrests also followed a largely calm afternoon demonstration in Hamburg.

The German protests took place on the same day as demonstrations over living costs and public services in France.