Political violence spikes in Germany amid election campaigns
"In Germany, there has been another attack on a politician. In Göttingen, a 66-year-old man attacked a regional Green Party lawmaker," reports Deutsche Welle.
2:46 PM EDT, May 26, 2024
Marie Kollenrott, a Green Party lawmaker in the Lower Saxony state parliament, was attacked during a party event as part of the election campaign in downtown Göttingen on Saturday (May 25). According to the police, the assailant struck the politician several times, causing minor injuries to her arms. Shortly afterward, police arrested the perpetrator near the scene of the attack, identified the 66-year-old attacker, and released him. The state security service responsible for politically motivated crimes has taken over the case.
Kollenrott told the DPA agency that the attack occurred at the Green Party's campaign booth. She has the police have documented bruises on one arm and the injuries. The 39-year-old lawmaker has been in the state parliament since October 2021 and focuses primarily on energy policy and environmental protection issues.
Politicians condemn the attack
Lower Saxony Premier Stephan Weil from the SPD condemned the attack. "It is and remains unacceptable that politicians campaigning are repeatedly victims of violent attacks," he stated.
"We are currently witnessing a dangerous situation. Our democracy will function only if people act publicly for their convictions," Weil added. He called for vigilance and a response to unchecked aggression. Regional politicians from the CDU and the Greens also condemned the assault on the lawmaker.
According to preliminary findings, the assailant, a man from Göttingen, had made offensive remarks near the Green Party's campaign booth in the pedestrian zone near the old town hall. He and the lawmaker then had a brief discussion about politics. The man then approached the politician, struck her, and walked away. The lawmaker and a witness followed him and reported it to the police.
Series of attacks on German politicians
In recent weeks, there has been a series of assaults on politicians and campaign participants in Germany, causing widespread outrage across the country.
In Dresden, SPD activist Matthias Ecke was hospitalized after being beaten, while local Green Party politician Yvonne Mosler was shoved while putting up election posters. Another victim of the assault was Franziska Giffey, a leader of Berlin's Social Democrats and the Senator for Science. Politicians from the populist right-wing AfD have also been targeted.
