Dresden, Germany – Matthias Ecke, the lead candidate for the Social Democrats (SPD) in Saxony, suffered severe injuries during a campaign event for the upcoming European parliamentary elections, the party disclosed on Saturday. The 41-year-old politician was assaulted by a group of men while putting up campaign posters in a Dresden neighborhood, resulting in injuries requiring surgery.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, stating that such incidents pose a threat to democracy and should not be overlooked. The head of the SPD in Saxony, Henning Homan, recounted how Ecke was verbally harassed with homophobic slurs before being physically assaulted by the assailants.
Reports indicate that Ecke sustained broken bones and was unresponsive following the attack. Witnesses described the attackers as far-right extremists dressed in dark clothing, sparking an investigation led by Saxony’s Interior Ministry with the involvement of the State Criminal Office.
The assault on Ecke came shortly after another individual was attacked while hanging up posters for the Green Party in the same area, leading authorities to suspect the involvement of the same perpetrators in both incidents. In a separate incident in Essen, two suspects targeted a Green Party member of the Bundestag and a local politician on a major city street.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier denounced the attacks as “shocking” and emphasized the need to address the rise of anti-democratic violence. The SPD and other political figures, including State Premier Michael Kretschmer and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, expressed concern over the escalation of far-right violence in the country.
The series of attacks on politicians, spanning across different political affiliations and regions, has raised alarms about the increasing aggression towards public figures. The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s study highlighted a shift in targeting political representatives, with an uptick in attacks against Green Party members.
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck condemned the attacks as a reflection of the growing hostility in political discourse, prompting the Greens in Saxony to implement safety measures for campaign activities. As political tensions escalate, parties are considering adopting similar precautions to ensure the safety of their members.
Overall, the incidents underscore a concerning trend of violence and intimidation in German politics, with calls for thorough investigations and accountability for those responsible. As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, addressing these challenges remains a critical priority for safeguarding the democratic process.