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Politicians in Thuringia in their sights: attacks are increasing alarmingly!
Attacks on local politicians in Thuringia are increasing. The article highlights the background, affected politicians and support options.
Politicians in Thuringia in their sights: attacks are increasing alarmingly!
The political situation in Thuringia is anything but relaxed. The last few years have brought a dramatic increase in verbal and physical attacks on local politicians, which is clearly reflected in the statistics: 353 and 347 attacks were recorded in 2022 and 2023. Loud MDR In a study, 57% of the local politicians surveyed reported personal hostility in the last five years. This worrying trend is not only limited to Thuringia, but also runs through the political landscape nationwide.
Politicians are often in the crosshairs of increasing social divisions. The AfD has developed into a people's party in Thuringia and regularly receives over 33% of the vote. This has not only eroded the electorate of the political center, but also created a climate in which attacks on local elected officials have become the sad norm.
Examples of attacks
The platform bpb recently reported on various incidents that illustrate the tense situation. The house of an SPD politician was set on fire in the Gotha district, while the windows of an SPD office in Suhl were smashed. The left-wing state parliament president Birgit Pommer also received ugly swastika graffiti on her constituency office.
It seems that violence against local politicians is becoming more and more pronounced. A particularly drastic example was the arson attack on SPD politician Michael Müller in Schnepfental in February 2024, who gave up his political career after this incident. Death threats via social media are sent, for example, to Luis Schäfer, the Green district chairman in Gera. Security precautions were also required by André Neumann, the CDU mayor of Altenburg, as he faces allegations and a possible deselection process.
Feel the pressure
What is particularly alarming is the fact that, according to a survey, almost 5,000 crimes against politicians were registered in Germany in 2024, an increase of 20% compared to the previous year, according to the ValuesUnion reported. Here, both verbal and physical attacks on politicians are perceived as a serious threat to democracy.
The psychological and physical consequences of hostility should not be underestimated. 82% of those affected complain of serious consequences. One in ten people who have been attacked is even thinking about resigning from their mandate. These statistics underline how serious the situation is and the impact that social divisions have on the political engagement of those affected.
The state must act
In order to stop this vicious circle of violence and political desecration, the Values Union not only calls for harsher punishments, but also increased political education that restores respect for institutions. The move towards greater respect for political work is urgently needed to strengthen and protect democracy.
Furthermore, the use of advice centers such as “Ezra” and “Elly” shows initial positive approaches, but there is still a lot to be done to create a reliable overview of the incidents and to react accordingly.
Given all these challenges, one thing is clear: Thuringia is not only a hotspot for political violence, but also an alarm signal for the entire Federal Republic. Joint action by politics, society and the media is essential to break the cycle of hate and violence.