German concerns over spread of French protests after social media calls
Activists have called for demonstrations on Saturday in several major German cities to protest rising living costs, a move toward compulsory conscription and cuts in education spending, while shops are closing their doors and boarding up their fronts for fear of unrest.
Berlin — Concerns are growing among German security and commercial circles that the wave of protests that hit France could spread to German cities, after activists called on social media for demonstrations next Saturday in a number of major cities.
The calls attribute protesters' anger to economic and political factors, chiefly rising costs of living, the move toward imposing compulsory conscription, and what demonstrators described as cuts in education spending.
In preparation for possible unrest, reports said shops in several cities had closed their doors and reinforced their fronts with beams and wooden boards for fear of looting or vandalism, and business sectors expressed concern about the impact on economic activity.
Security agencies, for their part, announced a state of alert amid fears the protests could expand and turn into street clashes, including possible confrontations between demonstrators and the police, similar to those seen in some French cities recently.
The shape of the movement and the actual impact of the calls remain subject to change, while authorities monitor developments as the announced protest date approaches.
