Shops looted as German cost-of-living protests turn violent in Frankfurt and other cities

Rioting and looting erupted in central Frankfurt late on Saturday after mass protests over the cost of living turned violent. Police said windows of several shops were smashed and molotov-cocktails were thrown at emergency services, while a gun shop was also targeted and two weapons were seized after a suspect was arrested.

Police used water cannon in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg to disperse protesters who threw fireworks, stones and bottles at officers. A large portion of Frankfurt's main shopping street was closed off, and a police spokesperson reported multiple arrests.

The demonstrations, organised by the campaign group Gen Z regelt ("Gen Z takes charge"), attracted thousands of participants calling for better funding of schools and health services, an end to compulsory military service and a fairer distribution of economic burdens. Spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the protests were "to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion" and emphasized the demand for stronger support for health and education systems.

Authorities in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin estimated that up to 18,000 people took part, about half of the number the organisers had posted online. Hesse interior minister Roman Poseck said around 100 individuals identified as left-wing extremists had joined the protest in Frankfurt and described the outcome as "shameful", drawing a comparison with recent unrest in France.