Ecke (41) was allegedly attacked by a group of four people. Shortly before, a 28-year-old employee of the Green Party (Grünen) had also been kicked and beaten while hanging posters. Authorities suspect the same group is responsible for both attacks. Nothing is yet known about the motivations of the perpetrators.
The SPD reacted with shock to the incident. The party branch in Saxony said other campaign teams have also been insulted and intimidated when putting up posters. The attack on Ecke is described as an “unmistakable alarm signal” for all Germans. Attacking democrats is the way fascists work, it said in a statement.
More politicians attacked
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.”
Tino Chrupalla, the co-chairman of the German right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), condemned the brutal attack. Chrupalla writes on X, formerly Twitter, that election campaigns must be “substantive and constructive, but without violence”. He wishes Ecke a lot of strength and a speedy recovery. “We condemn all physical attacks against politicians of all parties,” Chrupalla said.
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Scholz: “Threat to democracy”
“This is a threat to democracy, and that is why shrugging our shoulders is never an option,” says Chancellor – and Ecke’s party colleague – Olaf Scholz. “We must oppose this together.”
“Attacks on Green Party candidates and local politicians will also not be tolerated. The fact that such things happen also has to do with the speeches that are made and the atmospheres that are created,” Scholz said, referring, for example, to the right-wing populist AfD.
Scholz wished Ecke a speedy recovery and also spoke in favor of a full investigation.
