The German federal government has strongly criticized the violent unrest documented during the anti-G7 protests in Geneva. Sebastian Hille, the deputy government spokesman, stated to the dts news agency on Monday that “violence does not necessarily support the enforcement of legitimate demonstration interests.” He emphasized that while everyone has the right, ability, and duty to express their opinion in an orderly manner, resorting to violence tends to discredit the cause rather than support it.
Despite the chaos, Hille revealed he was not surprised by the violence, noting that such unrest is a recurring feature around these large gatherings. When asked to categorize the protests, he admitted he could not confidently detail what the diverse group was marching for or against.
On the day preceding the G7 summit, police reported that several buildings had been damaged and one car had burned down. Rioters hurled bottles, stones, and fireworks at emergency personnel. In response, the police deployed tear gas and water cannons.
Although the 2026 G7 Summit is scheduled to take place in France, the 10,000-resident municipality of Évian was divided into multiple protected zones and extensively cordoned off, with residents being issued special identification passes. As a result, the protests relocated to Switzerland, following the pattern set during the 2003 G8 summit.
