Mannheim, Germany – A local politician in Mannheim, Germany, was targeted in a knife attack, just five days after a police officer was fatally stabbed in the city’s market square. The victim, identified as a candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, sustained cuts in the assault but fortunately did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to German press agency DPA.
The incident occurred in close proximity to the site of the previous deadly attack, which targeted organizers of a rally against radical Islam, resulting in the officer’s death. The victim, Heinrich Koch, 62, a candidate in the upcoming municipal election in Mannheim, was reportedly attacked by a 25-year-old suspect who was subsequently apprehended and taken to a psychiatric hospital due to signs of mental illness.
Senior AfD officials emphasized that there was no concrete evidence indicating that the suspect was aware of the victim’s political affiliation. This incident follows another violent attack in the city involving an Afghan asylum seeker who repeatedly stabbed a police officer, leading to the officer’s death and injuries to five others preparing for an anti-radical Islam rally.
The recent wave of violence has stirred outrage in Germany, prompting discussions around potential deportations to Afghanistan in light of the escalating security concerns. The attacks come at a critical time as Germans gear up to cast their votes in the European Parliament elections and municipal elections across seven states, including Baden-Württemberg.
The AfD party, a major contender in the elections, has faced challenges as its candidates have been entangled in a series of scandals. Markus Frohnmaier, a prominent AfD official in Baden-Württemberg, expressed shock and dismay in response to the latest attack, underscoring the growing threat to democratic processes in the country.
The escalating violence has also affected other political figures, with reports of attacks on candidates and officials from various parties across Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, the center-left Social Democrats, and their counterparts have been on high alert as they navigate through a polarized political landscape marred by targeted violence and security threats.
As Germany grapples with the aftermath of these attacks, questions loom over the country’s ability to uphold democratic values and ensure the safety of political participants in the midst of heightened tensions and growing extremism. The upcoming elections will not only test the political resolve of contending parties but also reflect the broader societal challenges facing Germany as it navigates a fraught political climate.