Youth-led demonstrations over rising living costs, education funding and deteriorating public services turned violent in parts of Germany, Switzerland and France, with rioters looting shops, setting fires
and attacking police officers.
In Germany, hooded demonstrators looted stores in Frankfurt after tens of thousands of people took to the streets in 34 cities as part of protests organised by the campaign group “Gen Z regelt”, or “Gen Z takes charge”. In Switzerland, hundreds of people clashed with police in Zurich, setting barricades and vehicles on fire. Meanwhile, in France, demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails and other projectiles at police during cost-of-living protests.
The unrest came amid a wider wave of youth-led demonstrations across Europe, with protesters demanding greater economic security, better public services and action on the rising cost of living.
Frankfurt Shops Looted, Molotov Cocktails Thrown At Police
In Germany, the demonstrations were held in cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The campaign brought together young people opposing compulsory military service and demanding greater investment in education, healthcare and other public services.
While most rallies remained peaceful, violence broke out in Frankfurt. At least two stores were looted and several others damaged, while police struggled to contain the unrest in the city centre, according to a Reuters witness.
“Violent disturbances are continuing,” Frankfurt police said in a post on X, reporting smashed shop windows and Molotov cocktails being thrown at emergency services. Police urged bystanders to avoid the city centre or leave the area.
In Hamburg, barricades were set on fire, while authorities warned that extremist groups could try to exploit the demonstrations.
Police Clash With Rioters In Switzerland
In Zurich, violence broke out around the Langstrasse area after several hundred people gathered following calls for protests and other actions on social media. According to Zurich city police, some participants were masked and carried protective eyewear. The crowd set off fireworks and other pyrotechnics before moving towards Helvetiaplatz.
BREAKING:
The riots have spread to Switzerland too.
Police have been attacked by rioters who are also building barricades and setting fires. https://t.co/je7gmyaUzk
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 31, 2026
Rioters placed containers on the road and set them on fire. They also torched e-bikes, electric scooters and a car, while damaging the windows of a public transport stop and nearby shops.
Police said emergency personnel were repeatedly attacked with fireworks, bottles and stones. Officers used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the groups.
Shortly after midnight, a police patrol responding to a medical emergency was also attacked by a crowd, forcing officers to withdraw temporarily. The situation had calmed by around 1.30 am, police said. An investigation has been launched.
Molotov Cocktail Hits Police Officer In France
In France, clashes erupted in Paris, Marseille and other cities as hundreds of thousands joined a third consecutive weekend of demonstrations over the cost of living and deteriorating public services.
France: Rioters threw Molotov cocktails at police at the end of the Paris cost-of-living march.
At least one officer’s gear caught fire.
https://t.co/IwiABIC0aw— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 31, 2026
The French Interior Ministry estimated that around 320,000 people took part in rallies nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris. Most demonstrations were peaceful, but violence broke out in several cities as the marches ended.
In Paris, masked groups threw paving stones, bottles, fireworks and incendiary devices at police near Porte de Charenton. One riot police officer was hit by a Molotov cocktail, which Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described as an “attempted murder”.
