A 74-year-old man has been arrested for an attack on Franziska Giffey, former mayor of Berlin and member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party. In recent weeks, in the run-up to the elections, many elected officials in Germany have been attacked.
The increase in violence, insults and threats against political personnel is causing great concern in Germany. The government spoke on Wednesday of an “unacceptable climate of intimidation and violence”.
Franziska Giffey was in a library in the south of the capital on Tuesday when a man hit her on the head and neck with a heavy bag before fleeing. Giffey is currently Minister of Economy in the state of Berlin. She was taken to hospital with a headache.
A suspect was arrested on Wednesday. “He is 74 years old and is already known for acts related to state security and hate crimes,” police said. The motive for the attack “remains under investigation.” The Public Prosecution Service is investigating whether the man needs psychiatric help. Some elements point towards mental illness.
Multiple attacks on German politicians
In recent weeks, many German politicians have been threatened or fallen victim to attacks. Many facts have to do with the tense campaign for the European elections on June 9 and several regional elections in September.
The most serious attack was on Matthias Ecke, a MEP from Olaf Scholz’s party, who was attacked by four people last week while putting up posters in Dresden. Ecke, 41, had to undergo surgery due to facial injuries. The attack was denounced by Scholz as a “threat to democracy”.
An investigation is underway against the four suspects, all 17 and 18 years old. According to German media, they have ties to a far-right group known as “Elblandrevolte”. A small group close to the youth organization of the neo-Nazi NPD party, which has renamed itself “Die Heimat” (Fatherland).
According to preliminary figures from the police, 2,790 violent crimes were committed against political leaders in 2023, which is more than the year before (1,806) but less than the year 2021, when 2,840 offenses were registered.
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