Over 100 federal politicians have condemned the escalating violence against democratic politicians in a joint statement following the brutal attack on SPD MEP Matthias Ecke in Dresden. The “Striesener Declaration” was published on the Brand New Bundestag website on Sunday, signed by politicians including SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, Green party leader Ricarda Lang, and FDP deputy parliamentary group leader Konstantin Kuhle. The attack on Ecke was described as an attack against democracy itself. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called for increased police presence to protect politicians and campaign helpers, stating that the perpetrators must face harsher consequences.
A 17-year-old has come forward to the authorities admitting that he was responsible for assaulting Ecke, who sustained serious injuries including a fractured cheekbone and eye socket. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as similar incidents involving attacks on political figures and vandalism of campaign posters have also been reported in Leipzig and Taucha. Ecke, who is the top candidate for the European elections in Saxony, is expected to continue his campaign despite the ordeal. In response to the violence, a demonstration drawing around 2000 people was held in Dresden to show support for democracy and condemn acts of aggression against political figures.
The recent attacks on politicians span across different party affiliations, with incidents reported against members of the AfD, Green Party, and other political groups. The rise in violence against Green party members in particular has raised concerns, with the party calling for increased protection during election campaigns. Politicians from various parties, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, and Finance Minister Christian Lindner, have spoken out against the attacks, emphasizing the importance of standing together against violence in political discourse.
Calls for stricter penalties for attacks on politicians have been made by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who stressed the need for respectful and non-aggressive election campaigns across all parties. Even the AfD chairman, Tino Chrupalla, denounced physical violence against politicians and called for campaigns to be conducted without aggression or violence. Suggestions for enhancing protection measures for politically involved individuals and their families have been proposed by various officials, including the President of the German Association of Cities, Markus Lewe, and the Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, who also highlighted the importance of united and effective responses to combat rising violence.
