Culture

Election campaigners face danger from concealed razor blades.

In Hamburg, the SPD party is rattled after an unexpected assault on their campaigners. An unidentified individual targeted the group, leaving a young Social Democrat with a wounded hand.

SymClub

May 14, 2024

2 min read

News, Police, Hamburg regional news, Election campaign, SPD, Politics-Inland, the Greens

Young SPD politician Olcay Aydik (26) - The Hamburg native is campaigning in the local and European... — Young SPD politician Olcay Aydik (26) - The Hamburg native is campaigning in the local and European elections for the first time and was the victim of an attack with a razor blade

Politicians are under scrutiny. - Election campaigners face danger from concealed razor blades.

Over the weekend, Olcay Aydik, a young politician from the SPD, encountered a troubling situation while fixing election posters in Hamburg. The posters, which had been torn down in the Hamm district, appeared to have been tampered with – they were covered in razor blades. Aydik, who was out cleansing up the streets with a colleague from the Green Party, discovered the danger in time and managed to treat the injury himself.

Although he was unintentionally spared from a more severe injury, the incident has left Hamburg's parliamentary president, Carola Veit (50, SPD), outraged. "This is an assault on democracy," she exclaimed. "These individuals have no shame. Don't they even want to engage in debates with us politicians?"

Grateful for the protection offered by the police, Veit stands firm, equating these acts of vandalism to those of those who aim to dismantle the current state system. She emphasized the value of free and fair elections while condemning the violence, noting that it has no place in the political sphere.

Disturbing events have been escalating in recent days, with rioters threatening political figures. A prime example is that of Matthias Ecke (41), a politician from the SPD in Dresden, who was violently assaulted and left with severe injuries.

This wooden sign was prepared with a razor blade

Despite the escalating dangers, Aydik remains unwavering in his commitment to election season. "Now, more than ever," he declares.

Currently, it's unclear if there are more instances of razor blade attacks. Nonetheless, the police have acknowledged the event, transferring the investigation to state security.

The spike in violence against politicians demonstrates the severity of the situation, leaving the public wondering what could happen next. Will further escalations occur?