Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned a "cowardly" act after a senior figure in his party was struck over the head in a Berlin library, the latest in a string of attacks on politicians in a polarizing climate as Germany gears up for elections.

Berlin

In a recent series of unsettling events, Germany has witnessed an uptick in attacks on its politicians, raising concerns as the country prepares for upcoming elections. A notable incident occurred in a Berlin library, where Berlin Senator Franziska Giffey became the victim of a physical attack. A man struck Giffey over the head, resulting in her brief hospitalization. Giffey expressed her alarm at the increasing frequency of such attacks, emphasizing the concern for individuals targeted for their political positions and work.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to the attack on Senator Giffey by denouncing the act as "cowardly" on social media. This assault on Giffey happened concurrently with an emergency meeting by state ministers seeking enhanced police protection for politicians. The move comes in response to the escalating instances of both verbal and physical assaults on political figures as Germany heads towards important European and local elections.

Authorities report that the assault on Senator Giffey involved a 74-year-old suspect who was subsequently detained. This individual, known to the police for previous hate crimes, is believed to suffer from mental health issues. Meanwhile, government statistics reveal a worrying trend, with attacks on politicians having doubled since the 2019 European Parliament elections.

Further incidents underline the severity of the situation. In Dresden, two individuals were arrested for physically and verbally assaulting a member of the Greens Party engaged in campaign activities. The same day, Matthias Ecke, a member of Chancellor Scholz's Social Democrats, was assaulted, requiring surgical intervention due to the injuries sustained.

The increase in political violence is attributed by mainstream politicians to the resurgence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD has contested these claims, with a spokesperson labeling attempts to link the party to these attacks as "vile and irresponsible" while highlighting that AfD politicians and members have also been targets of attacks.

Germany's interior minister has expressed intentions to consider stricter legislation against political violence, reflecting the seriousness with which the government views the rise in attacks against its politicians. This string of violence underscores the tense and polarizing political climate in Germany as the nation approaches critical election milestones.



Attacks on Germany's politicians rise ahead of elections

Berlin Senator Franziska Giffey is one of the latest politicians to be attacked in Germany, as the country gears up for elections in a polarizing climate. Giffey was briefly hospitalized after a man struck her over the head in a library on Tuesday. FRANZISKA GIFFEY, German Senator Translated into English by Translator Translator I think it is worrying, and it also shocks and upsets me that we have been seeing more and more attacks of this kind recently, that people are being attacked because of their political work, because of their stance and attitudes. And that affects many, many people. Police said a 74-year-old suspect has been detained and was previously known to police for hate crimes, among other incidents. They said the suspect is believed to have mental health issues. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the act on social media as cowardly. The attack on Giffey coincided with an emergency meeting of state ministers. They're calling for greater police protection of politicians, as the number of verbal and physical assaults soars ahead of European and local elections. Government data shows the number of attacks on politicians in Germany has doubled since the 2019 European Parliament elections. Separately, the same day as Giffey's attack, two people were arrested in Dresden for shoving and spitting at a member of the Greens Party, who was putting up campaign posters. They had earlier been heard shouting Hitler salutes when with a group of people nearby, police said. The incidents come days after Matthias Ecke was kicked and beaten, also while putting up posters. The member of Scholz's Social Democrats needed surgery. On social media, he thanked supporters for well wishes and wrote, quote, This is not just about me, but about everyone who is passionately involved in politics. Nobody in a democracy should be afraid to voice their opinion. Mainstream politicians have blamed the rising political violence on the resurgence of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, who could sweep three state polls this year. An AFD leader said attempts to use the attack on Ecke for political gains were, quote, vile and irresponsible, adding that AFD politicians and members were frequently attacked. Germany's interior minister said that she would look at tightening the law against political attacks.

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