National Student Conference Distances Itself from 'Gen Z Regelt', Plans Own Berlin Rally on 20 November

Germany's national student representative body, the Bundesschülerkonferenz, has announced it will hold its own rally in Berlin on 20 November, formally distancing itself from the "Gen Z regelt" protests already planned for 31 October. Secretary-General Amy Kirchhoff made the announcement on the RTL and ntv programme "Frühstart", citing opaque organisational structures as the reason for the separation — it was simply not clear who was actually behind the protests.

The November event is planned as a broad civil-society effort, bringing together students, teachers, further youth movements, the education union GEW, the Bundeselternrat, and Fridays for Future, all of which have already confirmed their participation.

Kirchhoff described the mood among her generation as one of deep frustration, pointing to concerns about pensions and retirement provision, the state of the job market, and the condition of schools themselves. Crumbling and poorly functioning school buildings, she said, are a particular source of anger that the rally aims to highlight.

Despite the institutional distance, the Bundesschülerkonferenz is not opposed to the underlying message of "Gen Z regelt". Kirchhoff said the body supports peaceful protest and shares the frustration and the call for more money, especially for education. "Gen Z regelt" has called for demonstrations in around 30 cities on 31 October, focusing on climate protection, rising living costs, and opposition to military conscription, and has explicitly rejected violence.