In Germany, preparations are underway for youth protests on October 31

German security authorities are preparing for planned youth protests on October 31. As reported on Wednesday, October 21, by the dpa agency citing the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, federal and state agencies are assessing potential risks and coordinating their actions. Coordination is also being conducted with the authorities in France and Italy. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is monitoring relevant websites and social media channels where calls for violent actions may be spread. If necessary, the Federal Police will be able to support police in the states and other services. The Ministry of the Interior also noted that individuals intending to enter Germany to participate in violent protests may be denied entry at the border. ## Authorities fear unrest The ministry emphasized the need to distinguish between peaceful demonstrations and the actions of radical groups. "On one hand, there are peaceful student protests, and on the other, there is an extremist environment prone to violence that could potentially use such actions to spread violence," stated a representative of the domestic political department. Calls for participation in the actions are being spread by the initiative "GenZ regelt" ("Generation Z decides"), which also uses the slogan "GenZ steht auf" ("Generation Z rises"). The movement's website states that its participants advocate for improvements in education and healthcare, stronger climate protection measures, affordable living costs, and against the return of mandatory military service and budgetary austerity at the expense of youth. The actions are scheduled for October 31 and are set to take place simultaneously in 21 cities across Germany. Among the cities listed on the initiative's website are Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, and Dresden. According to the counter on the movement's website, more than 40,000 people intend to participate in the protests. Organizers emphasize that the actions should be peaceful. ## Students support the protests The Federal Conference of Students in Germany has positively assessed the planned actions. Organization representative Isabelle Seltenreich stated that students have the right to advocate for improvements in the education system and learning conditions. According to her, students support many demands that were previously voiced during protests in France and Italy. Among them are improvements in school facilities, an increase in the number of teachers, smaller class sizes, and ensuring equal opportunities for children regardless of their social background. At the same time, Seltenreich warned that the protest movement could become a target for political manipulation by various groups. ## ## The experience of France and Italy raises concerns Mass school protests have been taking place in France since the end of September. Participants are demanding better school equipment, an increase in the number of educators, and improved learning conditions. Later, similar actions began in Italy. In both countries, some demonstrations were accompanied by unrest. The head of the German Police Union (GdP), Jochen Kopelke, believes that German law enforcement is better prepared for potential unrest than their French counterparts. According to him, the police in Germany focus on prevention and communication, and are capable of stopping the actions of instigators without hindering peaceful protests. Kopelke warned that certain radical groups may use the protest actions for their purposes and exacerbate tensions through social media. At the same time, he urged the authorities to take the youth's demands seriously and not ignore problems in the education sector.