Rallies took place in 30 cities across Germany over cost of living

Rallies took place in more than 30 cities across Germany, including Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, as young demonstrators voiced frustration over what they call a compromised future and overlooked concerns.

Protesters highlighted six key topics, including underfunded schools, increasingly unaffordable living costs and military conscription.

The cost of living protests are taking place in Germany, with marches in Berlin and Cologne, and looting reported in Frankfurt.

These were the scenes Saturday in Berlin. A youth initiative called "Gen Z's got this" urged protests in some 30 cities "for education, health, climate protection and an affordable life," and against the return of military conscription.

This student said, "We call for more money to be invested in social services and education as well as climate protection, in short,

in our future because we are the ones who will be affected by this.

In Cologne, protesters hold placards and flags. This protesters said, "I protest for the future of my child my daughter against injustice, against dilapidated schools, against the many social shortcomings we're experiencing right now."

Demonstrations in Cologne escalated, with police deploying water cannons after protesters used pyrotechnics, and ultimately the protest march in the city was cancelled.

In Hamburg, pyrotechnics strongly featured in a march of thousands of people who took to the streets as part of the nationwide protest.

One placard read, "Merz has to go" - referring to chancellor Friedrich Merz.

A protester in a polar bear costume carried signs reading "Save my Greenland, Mr Oilhead." and "Last Generation Before the Tipping Points."

Free, free Palestine.

In Stuttgart, protesters marched through the streets voicing their demands, including calls for systemic change and a free Palestine.

Police remained deployed as demonstrators marched chanting slogans and carrying posters and flags.