German unions put turnout at 175,000 for Saturday protests against planned government spending cuts, calling for a strong welfare state. Union leader Yasmin Fahimi criticized proposed pension and working-hours reforms and warned of cuts to social security benefits.
Police counted between 20,000 and 25,000 protesters in Nuremberg, 12,000 in Essen, 15,000 in Frankfurt, around 13,000 in Hanover, 16,000 in Stuttgart, 4,500 in Freiburg and 5,500 in Berlin. Thousands also rallied in Hamburg, Kiel, Rostock, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Erfurt and Saarbrücken.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) used the slogan “Hard-earned! Your work. Your health. Your pension.” It called the rallies a “clear signal” and said secure jobs, good working conditions and workers’ rights were at stake. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in mid-September, “The reforms must go ahead.” Pensions have been a focus for weeks, while a coalition dispute over care provision flared over the weekend.
