Three additional suspects, aged 17 and 18, have been identified in connection with the attack on SPD politician Matthias Ecke in Dresden. The homes of the accused have been searched, according to the Dresden public prosecutor’s office and the State Criminal Police Office of Saxony. The investigations revealed that at least one of the four suspects is politically motivated from the right-wing spectrum. The suspects, all German citizens, are currently not in custody as there were no grounds for arrest. Two of the suspects had prior interactions with the police, and evidence seized during house searches is being analyzed. Despite undergoing facial surgery after sustaining fractures during the attack, Ecke is reportedly recovering well, with SPD’s General Secretary Kevin Kühnert stating that he is determined to return to campaigning.
The attack on Ecke, while he was putting up election posters, sparked outrage nationwide and led to discussions about the escalation of violence during election campaigns. Demonstrations in Dresden and Berlin were held on Sunday, with thousands gathering to show support for democracy and condemn violence. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on everyone to engage in political discourse peacefully and respectfully. Notable politicians, including federal and state leaders, as well as other party representatives, attended the protests. In response to the incident, around 200 parliamentarians signed the “Striesener Declaration,” denouncing the escalating violence against politically active individuals in public spaces.
The German government strongly condemned the attack on Ecke, emphasizing that assaults on politicians and volunteers jeopardize democracy. Deputy Government Spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann stated that the specific motives behind such attacks are irrelevant in the face of the growing climate of violence. In response to the situation, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser implemented several measures to address this trend, emphasizing the need for increased police presence to protect politicians during the election campaign. Discussions among the federal and state interior ministers are expected to take place to address the issue further.
In addition to Ecke, several other politicians have recently been targeted with attacks or intimidation. In Essen, Green Party parliamentarians Kai Gehring and Rolf Fliß were assaulted, while Bundestag Vice President Katrin-Göring-Eckardt was aggressively confronted in East Brandenburg. An AfD state parliamentarian in Nordhorn was also reportedly assaulted at an information stand. These incidents highlight the growing concerns over political violence and the need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and integrity of democratic processes. The repercussions of these attacks may lead to legislative actions and heightened security measures to protect politicians and ensure the peaceful conduct of election campaigns.
