The protests in France are now more than just a school conflict, says youth researcher Simon Schnetzer. He sees similar problems in Germany. Can the protests spill over?
Young people with a pocket of the left: sympathies for political fringes. Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa
Berlin. Young people in France have been demonstrating for better teaching conditions for three weeks. Whether Strasbourg, Lyon or Paris: On Tuesday, tens of thousands of pupils and students took to the streets in many French cities to demonstrate against poor learning conditions, a lack of teachers and the cancellation of lessons.
The protests in France are now more than just a school conflict, says German youth researcher Simon Schnetzer. “They are a symbol that the state is not adequately preparing young people for the future,” Schnetzer told the Handelsblatt.
Schnetzer sees similar problems in Germany. He points out that only a minority of young people feel well prepared for professional life. According to Schnetzer, the dilapidated infrastructure in schools and the loss of school hours are also regularly discussed in his surveys.
Schnetzer is co-editor of the trend study “Youth in Germany”, for which 14 to 29 year olds in Germany are surveyed. The 2026 youth study is headlined: “Between willingness to perform and emigration – Germany’s youth is losing patience.” Schnetzer sees three central problems that are increasingly burdening young people:
a feeling of powerlessness in the face of the many current crises,
a high level of pressure to perform – often without good learning conditions,
high debts and social burdens in the future.
Young people should identify with the future, but should not have a say in what that future looks like. Many young people are not only characterized by self-doubt, “but also by the feeling that they are being ruled over,” says Schnetzer.
“A ticking time bomb”
“For many demonstrators, it’s no longer just about better schools,” says the youth researcher, referring to France. “Many young people are insecure and are afraid of uncertain career prospects and social decline.” These concerns played a major role, in Germany as well as in France. “It’s a ticking time bomb on the horizon.”
In France there have been some serious clashes between demonstrators and the police in recent weeks. Police cars and garbage containers burned, emergency services were attacked with stones and fireworks. But the police's harsh approach has also been criticized; there were young people seriously injured. A police grenade tore off a 15-year-old's hand.
A police operation that was perceived as disproportionate has increased the development in France, says Schnetzer. "Many are convinced that the state does not listen to them, but rather fights them. This also mobilizes people who generally feel that they are being treated unfairly by the political system."
Less mobilization potential in Germany
The youth researcher sees less mobilization potential in Germany so far. “The protest culture in Germany is not developed to the same extent,” he says. In addition, a comparatively high level of prosperity buffers the pressure of suffering. In France, the protests began primarily in poorer neighborhoods and spread from there to wealthier areas.
At times the protests also spread to Belgium. Schnetzer explains this with the geographical proximity as well as linguistic and cultural connections, especially with the French-speaking part of Belgium. Young people could more easily develop the feeling of being part of the same movement.
Youth researcher Simon Schnetzer: Perceiving young people's concerns. Photo: Marc-Steffen Unger
But violence scares many young people away from joining a protest, says Schnetzer. Things were different with “Fridays for Future”. Many students in Germany also joined the climate movement. “The peaceful nature of this movement has made it easier for parents and broad sections of the population to show solidarity with it.”
Political center: trust lost
Overall, according to Schnetzer, the pressure on the young generation is increasing. “Permanent crises, uncertain career prospects, debts and mental stress characterize the living conditions of many young people,” says the youth study. “In response, they turn to the political fringes or even think about leaving Germany.”
The recent state elections fit this statement. According to Infratest Dimap, 41 percent of people under 25 voted for the AfD in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt at the beginning of September. In the election for the House of Representatives in Berlin two weeks later, twelve percent of those under 25 chose the AfD and 43 percent chose the Left.
State election
Why do so many people under 25 vote for the AfD or the Left?
According to Schnetzer, the political center has lost trust. “Trust comes when things go well,” he says. Schnetzer uses three examples to illustrate where, from the perspective of many young people, things didn't go well.
Immigration in 2015, through which global developments became visible in the everyday lives of many people.
The experience that political demands have only a limited impact despite broad support – for example with “Fridays for Future”.
The corona pandemic, in which political decisions have had a major impact on the lives of young people.
The political fringes have a decisive advantage: they address the issues that concern young people, such as housing or migration, says Schnetzer. Whether they offer solutions is initially secondary. “What’s crucial is the feeling that your own concerns are being noticed at all.”
Related topics
GermanyFranceAfDBerlinInternet
During demonstrations on the Israel-Gaza conflict, Schnetzer observes how complex conflicts are increasingly reduced to simple opposites. Social media greatly shortened stories to yes or no. There is hardly any space for nuances and discussing conflicts. “The result is a tougher culture of debate in which political opponents are quickly perceived as enemies.”
What the political center should do? Schnetzer demands two things above all: listen and participate. It is not enough to demand performance, adaptation and acceptance of responsibility from the young generation. Young people need to be involved “and experience that crises can be shaped.”
