Around 2,600 protest against Merz government policies in Berlin

Around 2,600 people demonstrated in central Berlin on Saturday against the policies of the federal government, according to German public broadcaster RBB.

The organisers, who call themselves Project M1illion, demanded the government’s resignation and a Swiss-style system of direct democracy. Their other demands included halting healthcare reform, abolishing public broadcasting fees and the carbon tax, and conducting a realistic assessment of Germany’s energy security, RBB reported.

Banners also called for tighter immigration policies and improved relations with Russia. Many demonstrators carried German and peace flags and chanted slogans including “Merz must go” and “We are the people,” referring to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Placards included messages such as “Stop rearmament and arms supplies” and “Peace with Russia,” as well as criticism of the government and its policies on Ukraine.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed to secure the march. Police reported no major incidents.

Separately, a survey published on Thursday by public broadcaster ZDF found that 59% of respondents believed the coalition’s planned and partly adopted changes to pensions, healthcare and long-term care were going in the wrong direction. Thirty percent said the measures were on the right track.