Politicians under pressure: 60% victim of aggression and violence!

Politicians under pressure: 60% victim of aggression and violence!

A current study shows alarming results on violence against politicians in Germany. Around 60% of politicians surveyed have experienced aggression or physical violence at least once during their career. This emerges from an investigation by the Criminological Research Institute in Lower Saxony (KFN), which was funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation. The online survey comprised 1,479 politicians and took place between May 2024 and February 2025, with the return rate 6.6%. Insults and verbal discrimination occur particularly often, which affects over 50% of those affected. Sluming (over 30%) and threats (approx. 8%) are also frequent phenomena, such as

In the survey, 46% of politicians stated that they had experienced aggression and/or violence in the six months before the survey. In many cases, the private environment was also affected by politicians. About 12% report effects on partners or children. The psychological consequences are serious: politicians with aggression or violent experiences show significantly less interest in their activities and often feel depressed or anxious. Only 30% of those affected were ready to publicize their experiences.

women in politics are increasingly affected by sexualized violence. Political scientist Anne-Kathrin Kreft warns that the withdrawal of politicians undermines representative democracy. In addition, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) registered an increase in politically motivated crimes for over 6,000 cases for 2024, especially against official and mandate. The most common goal of these crimes are politicians of the Greens, followed by the AfD and the SPD, such as Tagesschau.de

incidents in election campaigns

increasing violence against campaigners can also be observed in connection with the upcoming elections. According to reports, numerous attacks occurred in the election campaigns for the European elections and the state elections in 2024. The chronicle of the incidents includes attacks on SPD members in Berlin and the destruction of an information stand by the Greens in Munich. Particularly trend causes a trend that aggressions of alleged extremists go out. These incidents show the brutalization of political culture in Germany, such as bpb.de documented.

In order to counteract this concern, several parties have signed a fairness agreement to improve the campaign conditions. In addition, the Federal Council have draft laws that are intended to strengthen the criminal protection of politicians. But the uncertainty about their farewell in the face of impending new elections raises questions.