Federal Minister for Education, Karin Prien (CDU), has called for the protests of Generation Z to be viewed in a nuanced light. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk on Monday, she stated that there have been largely peaceful demonstrations where young people asserted their right to protest. However, she also noted that there were displays of violent excess, coming from left-radical groups, as well as other individuals who reportedly originate from migrant communities. This sentiment echoes a phrasing previously used by Federal Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU).
When asked whether she had personally engaged with protestors during one of the demonstrations, the Minister denied it. Instead, she referred to existing dialogue with youth associations, the Federal Students’ Conference, and various other youth organizations. Prien asserted that the issues are “less about symbolism and more about concrete matters that need to change.”
The CDU politician further emphasized the importance of listening to young people, acknowledging that there are “already concerns that young people must worry about today.” She stressed that this concern is particularly pertinent because they are living in a society where the number of young people is continually decreasing while the number of older people is increasing. She warned that political prioritization must be carefully managed to ensure that policy does not overly favor the older generation while neglecting the needs of the young, especially when it comes to the allocation of resources.
