Radical ideologies or behaviours. - Conservative concern over political violence intensifies
The Federal Criminal Police Office expresses concern over a sharp increase in offenses against public officials and politicians. Over the past five years, these crimes have tripled to 5,400 incidents, said Holger Münch, the office's head, to the "taz" newspaper. Thankfully, most of these incidents aren't violent.
He added that rising disenchantment with government institutions is causing insults, threats, and violence, which are increasing as the European and local elections approach. These elections are scheduled for June 9 and September in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg.
In response to the assault on Dresden's SPD European politician Matthias Ecke, who was brutally beaten while hanging up posters, Münch stated that this was an extremely shocking act of violence, signifying the potential escalation of political aggression. In 2019, Hessian CDU politician Walter Lübcke was killed by a right-wing extremist outside his home. To prevent such occurrences, Münch stressed the importance of vigilance and alarm.
The proliferation of divisive narratives and images through social media is a significant issue, according to Münch. "Every political actor who fails to contribute to a fair conversation, but instead fuels scapegoat narratives – like those involving foreigners or remigration – contributes to this polarization," he said. The AfD party, which has a vast presence on these platforms, plays a major role. "Their presence can be used to soothe or provoke. Many of the AfD's publications only serve to agitate people."
Münch expressed concern about the threat to democracy posed by these crimes against politicians. "The figures are just alarming. Nobody can determine the point at which democracy collapses," he said. With numerous political figures considering abandoning their commitments due to hostility and membership figures for political parties decreasing rapidly over the past 30 years, Münch emphasized the need to consider ways to uphold this state in Germany.
Another incident occurred in Göttingen, where a Green Party politician was attacked at an election campaign event today. A man, aged 66, reportedly struck the state parliament member several times in the upper body. The woman sustained minor injuries on her arms. Officers quickly apprehended the assailant, who had previously made disparaging remarks about the Greens at the election campaign venue.
Lower Saxony's Minister President, Stephan Weil (SPD), acknowledged that it's unacceptable that politicians are repeatedly attacked during election campaigns. He stated, "Our democracy only functions if people strongly commit to their beliefs in public." He encouraged everyone to remain vigilant against unbridled aggression. Green Party parliamentary group leader Anne Kura condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, stating, "Attacks on female democrats are an attack on our democracy. We're appalled, but we won't be intimidated." She affirmed that violence should never be a tool in political debates. The CDU's Lower Saxony parliamentary group leader, Sebastian Lechner, also denounced the "despicable attack" on Kollenrott, demanding the offender face the full force of the law.
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Source: www.stern.de
