Climate activist Luisa Neubauer has defended the growing frustration among young people regarding the current political and social conditions in Germany. Writing in a guest contribution for the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, Neubauer stated that while Gen Z treats many aspects of modern life as a given-things that older generations fought hard for in past decades-their anger is genuine and fully justified.
According to Neubauer, the traditional assurance that future generations would fare better than their predecessors is no longer credible, especially when considering factors like potential compulsory military service, climate change, and a struggling education system. The activist explained that the fact that young people in Germany and across Europe are speaking out is not merely their right, but something that is long overdue.
Furthermore, trust in the social welfare system has significantly eroded. Neubauer noted that it seems increasingly unlikely for any young person to believe that the state will have anything left for them in four decades, particularly concerning pensions and social security. She concluded that in a country where the future feels less like an assurance and more like a threat.
These sentiments have manifested on the streets recently. Thousands of young people have taken to the streets in Germany and other European countries to vent their dissatisfaction over political developments, with some protests occasionally turning into violent unrest.
