Police are also investigating a separate attack on two German politicians, Kai Gehring and Rolf Fliß of the Grünen. That incident took place on Thursday evening in Essen, not far from the border with the Netherlands. Fliß, a local politician, was allegedly punched in the face. His attackers then got into a taxi and drove away. It would involve two people.
The two politicians say in a joint statement that they fear increasing hostility towards politicians. “But we will not be intimidated, because we need people who are committed to their community.”
The SPD and European Social Democrats called on conservative parties in Europe to reject any cooperation with right-wing extremist parties and politicians. “We need clarity about this,” Lars Klingbeil, party leader of the SPD, emphasized during a conference in the German capital Berlin.
“If the right-wing extremist and populist parties were to gain power in Europe, they would destroy our European unification project,” said co-party leader Saskia Esken.
Tags: German MEP Matthias Ecke injured attack election campaign
