When the Protest Finally Begins, Technical Issues with the Megaphone Get Things Off to a Shaky Start
Germany's Neue Generation Plans Radical 'People's Parliaments' for Political Overhaul
To bridge the awkward silence, the activists break into song while troubleshooting the equipment.
Once the megaphone finally works, the group first explains its origins. The Neue Generation (New Generation) emerged from the Letzte Generation (Last Generation) movement. Unlike its predecessor—which combined street protests with civic demands like speed limits—the Neue Generation adopts a more radical tone, preparing for societal collapse or crisis, which they believe could foster revolutionary conditions.
According to their own statements, the Neue Generation had originally planned to launch their "attempted revolution" on Thursday. However, they called it off at the last minute due to a state visit: Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Iranian shah and a prominent opposition figure, was in the capital. The group postponed their protest to the following day.
Politely Requesting Entry
On Friday, in front of the Bundestag, the revolution remains—at least for now—purely theoretical. "We must throw our bodies onto the gears of the machine," declares Henning Jeschke, a spokesperson for the group. The Neue Generation, he explains, is already working to lay the groundwork for a future uprising.
Failure, he adds, is part of the process. "We have to be able to imagine what could be," Jeschke says. Many members of parliament—including those from the CDU and AfD—barely acknowledge the protest as they leave the building, some skillfully ignoring the activists as they pass by.
Lina Eichler, another spokesperson, tells our website that the action is also about "creating an offer"—a call to engagement. She emphasizes that their goal is a "peaceful revolution" and reducing the influence of money on political decision-making, particularly through corruption. This is the focus of their recent #MerzMafia campaign, which has drawn attention in recent days.
Just a day earlier, the group had targeted the Axel Springer publishing house with a paint attack, splashing blue dye on the company's headquarters. In an Instagram post, they explained that the color symbolized either the CDU or the AfD, both of which they accuse of being part of the MerzMafia—a network they claim is stoking "looming fascism" in Germany through the intersection of wealth, lobbying, and media power.
Poschardt Declines Invitation
The group justified the attack by labeling Axel Springer as "part of the #MerzMafia, embodying the toxic entanglement of money, lobbyism, and media influence." Via Instagram, they invited Welt publisher Ulf Poschardt to an online discussion on Friday—but he did not respond.
On Friday afternoon, the activists attempt to persuade Bundestag security staff about their concept of "People's Parliaments," politely requesting entry. The officers, however, shake their heads and wave them off. The note Jeschke tries to hand over reads: "We are asking for entry in order to organize People's Parliaments from within the Bundestag."
According to Jeschke, these People's Parliaments would be forums where citizens, selected by lottery, would gain decision-making power in assemblies—a model of "deliberative democracy." The concept is inspired by citizens' assemblies, he explains, and is intended to eventually replace traditional democratic institutions step by step, leading to a "new mode" of governance.
Before dispersing in an orderly fashion, the group announces the date for their next "attempted revolution": October.
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