BERLIN, October 29, 2026 — Students in Germany have blocked university buildings in Berlin and Hamburg to protest education budget cuts and plans to revive compulsory military service.
The protests took place on Wednesday, ahead of nationwide youth demonstrations planned for Saturday.
Students say the government should invest more in education and social services. They also want greater support to help young people cope with rising living costs.
Students Call for More Education Funding
At Free University Berlin, protesters blocked the entrance to the Otto Suhr Institute from late morning.
A university spokesperson confirmed the protest to German newspaper Tagesspiegel. The students said their action aimed to draw attention to the growing financial pressures facing higher education.
Meanwhile, around 50 demonstrators gathered at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.
They blocked entrances to its arts and media campus. However, a university spokesperson said staff and students could still enter the buildings.
Protesters Oppose Compulsory Military Service
The students also raised concerns about government plans to bring back military conscription.
They argued that young people need better opportunities and a secure future. Protesters called for greater investment in education, healthcare and social support instead of cuts to public spending.
Some demonstrators carried banners and chanted slogans calling for a more affordable life and a better future for young people.
The protesters also demanded €100 billion in public investment for education and social services.
Nationwide Youth Demonstrations Planned
The protests come ahead of larger demonstrations organised by the youth initiative Gen Z steht auf, which means “Gen Z stands up”.
Organisers said more than 145,000 students and young people had registered online for the planned demonstrations.
The main events are scheduled for Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne. Additional protests are planned in 27 other cities.
The demonstrations are set to begin at 2 pm local time on Saturday, October 31, under the slogan “Our future is in our hands”.
Authorities Monitor Security Situation
Germany’s Interior Ministry said security authorities were monitoring preparations for the demonstrations.
Ministry spokesperson Bjoern Bowinkelmann said authorities had found no additional indications of planned violence linked to the protests.
However, he noted that some extremist groups were also participating in efforts to mobilise demonstrators.
The planned rallies are expected to focus on education funding, social spending, living costs and the proposed return of compulsory military service.
Source: BERNAMA | Rewritten By Minutesmy
