Criticism of the fossil-fuel-dependent federal government: Fridays for Future Leipzig is organising a demonstration on the Sachsenbrücke on 31 July

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The Merz government at federal level has proved a major disappointment, particularly for young voters. Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche, in particular, is systematically working to undermine the laws on the energy transition and to slow down the urgently needed restructuring of Germany’s energy supply. However, this summer’s extreme heatwaves are showing all citizens where we are heading with an increasingly heated climate. Fridays for Future Leipzig is therefore calling for a spontaneous demonstration at the Sachsenbrücke on Friday 31 July at 4.30 pm.

Under the slogan “burn capitalism, not the planet”, the Leipzig branch of Fridays for Future is criticising the federal government’s inaction and the disastrous policies of, amongst others, Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche.

“Criticism of capitalism is not just an empty phrase here. The actions of the government under Friedrich Merz clearly illustrate how we are managing ourselves to death, both to the detriment of our own health and in defiance of nature and climate protection,” explains Alexander Hilse, spokesperson for Fridays for Future Leipzig.

Leipzig-based climate activist Merit Niemeyer adds: “Whilst forest fires of unprecedented scale are raging across the globe and we are being hit by heatwaves almost every week, the federal government does not utter a single word about climate protection. That is why we must continue to demand it ourselves!”

According to reports from the Robert Koch Institute, the first heatwave alone at the end of June claimed the lives of over 5,000 people. This means that more heat-related deaths were recorded in June 2026 than in the years 2022 to 2025 combined. The heat-related death tolls were higher in 2018 and 2019, at 8,400 and 6,900 respectively – but in both cases these figures were calculated over the whole year. It is only in the German government’s statements that this trend is not mentioned. There, they prefer to talk about migration and recipients of the basic income.

Following the opening rally on Friday, 31 July, from 4.30 pm on the Sachsenbrücke, the demonstration will proceed as a cycle procession through Clara-Zetkin Park towards the Innenstadtring, as announced by Fridays for Future, circle the ring road and finally end in front of the new town hall.