Dresden, Germany – Recent violent attacks on politicians campaigning for the upcoming European Union election in Dresden, Germany, have raised concerns about escalating anti-democratic violence in the country. Matthias Ecke, a politician with the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and member of the European Parliament, was hospitalized after being assaulted by a group of four young men while hanging campaign posters. The attack resulted in fractures to his cheekbone and eye socket, among other injuries.
In a separate incident on the same evening in Dresden, a group of youths allegedly attacked a Greens campaigner, with one of the attackers punching him in the face twice before kicking him while he was on the ground. The violence continued when local Greens candidate Yvonne Mosler was pushed aside, had her posters ripped down, and was spat on by a young woman while out with a television crew putting up campaign posters.
The recent surge in attacks also included an assault on Franziska Giffey, former mayor of Berlin and SPD politician, who was struck from behind with a “bag filled with hard contents” while in a public library. This series of attacks has prompted Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, to label it as an escalation of anti-democratic violence.
Amidst the incidents of violence, concerns have been raised about the safety and security of politicians campaigning for the EU election. The attacks have sparked widespread alarm and condemnation across the country, emphasizing the need for greater protection for those participating in the democratic process.
As the election approaches, it is crucial to address the issue of political violence and ensure that all individuals have the right to participate in the electoral process without fear of harm or intimidation. The incidents in Dresden and beyond serve as a somber reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting the safety of political candidates and campaigners.