Manhunt
Consternation after attack on Green Party politician in Essen
Green politician Kai Gehring in the Bundestag. photo
© Christophe Gateau/dpa
Two Green Party politicians in Essen are first insulted, then one of them is injured. The horror after the crime is great. But those attacked do not want to be intimidated.
After the attack on the Green Bundestag member Kai Gehring and his party colleagues Rolf Fliß in Essen, the investigators continue to search for the perpetrators. The search has so far been unsuccessful, the police said on Saturday. Since it could be a politically motivated act, the state security agency has taken over the investigation. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the act was “another attack against our democracy.”
Gehring and his party colleague Fliß, third mayor of Essen and active in local politics in the Ruhr area city for decades, said they were attacked on Thursday evening in Essen after a party event. According to police investigations, both were approached by a group of passers-by on busy Rüttenscheider Straße around 10:30 p.m. After an initially friendly conversation, an argument and insults broke out. Finally, Fliß was hit in the face and was slightly injured. The two suspects then fled in a taxi towards the city center.
Perpetrators knew who they were attacking
It was not initially known what the attackers said to the two Green politicians during the dispute. The “WAZ” reported, citing Fliß, that he and Gehring were known to the perpetrators as elected officials. Fliß is active in the Ruhr area city primarily in the areas of climate, environment, construction and transport.
In a joint statement, the two Green politicians emphasized their concern about increasing hostility against politicians. “We will not allow ourselves to be intimidated because we need people who are committed to our community.” The Federal Interior Minister demanded: “All democrats must confront this increasing climate of violence. That starts with verbal disarmament.”
Essen Greens are combative
The Essen Greens also appeared combative. “This incredible incident makes us affected, but not discouraged. We stand together and continue to fight for a world in which politicians can work without fear,” the city association wrote in a reaction. Essen’s mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU) said the state must act “more decisively and consistently” against politically motivated perpetrators.
One evening after the incident, there was an attack on a politician in Dresden: The Saxon SPD’s leading candidate for the European elections, Matthias Ecke, was attacked while posting posters and seriously injured. While putting up election posters late on Friday evening, four unknown people beat the 41-year-old, as the police and the party announced on Saturday. He had to undergo surgery in the hospital. Politicians from several parties strongly condemned the attack.