Two AfD politicians were attacked in front of the state parliament in Stuttgart just before a ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of the German constitution. The two lawmakers were lightly injured but did not require medical attention. The Antifa group has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they disrupted an AfD information stand outside the parliament building. The Antifa activists alleged that they were physically harassed by security personnel and AfD lawmakers, describing the incident as a “creative disturbance.”
The State Security Service is investigating the incident, with police suspecting a connection to the Antifa based on the slogans on a banner unfurled during the attack. The two AfD politicians reported being physically assaulted, with one saying he was struck in the head and the other mentioning a blow to the neck. Two young women suspected of involvement in the attack were apprehended by police, with their identities recorded for further investigation. Video recordings of the incident are being analyzed, and authorities are urging witnesses to come forward.
The targeted lawmakers, Miguel Klauß and Hans-Jürgen Goßner, accused left-wing extremists of attacking them at the information stand. Klauß stated that he was struck in the head, while Goßner said he was hit in the neck by a young woman. The incident involved several individuals, primarily women, who unfurled a banner with anti-AfD slogans. Klauß mentioned that a criminal complaint has been filed against the attackers. In response to the incident, the President of the State Parliament, Muhterem Aras, condemned all forms of violence in political discourse and expressed regret over the disruption at the AfD stand.
Recent attacks on politicians, including SPD and Green party members, during the European election campaign have raised concerns nationwide. The State Criminal Police in Saxony linked one of the attackers targeting an SPD politician to the far-right spectrum. Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey (SPD), also faced a physical assault. The Interior Ministers of the federal states called for better protection of politically active individuals and the examination of stricter legal measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
