Police sealed off the Die Zeil shopping street in Frankfurt after rioters smashed windows, looted stores and attacked officers. The unrest was part of demonstrations organised by the youth group Gen Z regelt! in 34 German cities on 31 Oct 2026. Organisers estimate up to 170,000 participants, while police counts show about 6,000 protesters in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin and roughly 1,000 in Frankfurt itself. Police deployed water cannons, pepper spray and made several arrests, and interior minister Roman Poseck warned against modelling the unrest on France.
Friedrich Merz
3 stories since 29 October 2026, newest first
1 November 2026
29 October 2026
Christine Lagarde announced her resignation on Thursday and will step down as European Central Bank president on 7 Feb 2027, nine months before her term ends. The decision comes as euro‑zone inflation runs at almost twice the ECB’s 2 % target and bond yields, especially in France, are rising sharply. Lagarde told officials she wants the freedom to comment on political issues beyond monetary policy. The European Council has launched a selection process, with candidates such as Klaas Knot and Pablo Hernández de Cos mentioned as front‑runners.
The European Union and Canada launched a new partnership at a two-day summit in Montreal on Friday, 30 Oct. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada aims to become the EU's first associate member, but the joint declaration omits that term and leaders will define the arrangement by a 2027 summit. The alliance covers artificial intelligence, critical minerals and quantum technology, and Canada will join the EU's support loan for Ukraine with an initial 500 million euros. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa took part in the talks. Von der Leyen said Canada cannot become a full member because of its geography.