As the European Parliament elections in early June approached, a member of the ruling SPD party, Ake, was attacked while putting up posters in Dresden. The city is known for its support of the far-right AfD party and has a low non-German population. According to German police, the attackers were young men aged 17-20.
This incident was part of a pattern of attacks on politicians leading up to the local and European elections on June 9th. Chancellor Schultz condemned these attacks, stating that they threaten democracy and that renouncing violence is not an option. This public outcry comes amid increasing reports of attacks on politicians across Germany. In addition to Ake, members of the Green Party were also attacked in Essen, Chemnitz, and Zwickau while campaigning.
Despite these incidents, politicians and parties continue their campaigns in various cities across Germany. There is a growing concern about the safety of politicians and campaign staff as they work to engage with voters and promote their platforms. In response to these concerns, security measures are being heightened to ensure the safety of all participants in the democratic process as the country prepares for upcoming elections.