Berlin
Decisive action was urged by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday to address the recent attacks on politicians in Germany. Speaking at a gathering of her centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in Berlin, von der Leyen highlighted the importance of safeguarding individuals amidst a series of assaults on politicians, including a Green Party candidate in Dresden and the local leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) in Berlin.
Von der Leyen emphasized that protecting individuals is crucial for safeguarding democracy, stating that when people are no longer safe, democracy itself is at risk. She stressed the necessity for perpetrators to face the full force of the law, advocating for the protection of all those who defend democratic values regardless of their political affiliation or the context of their involvement, whether during election campaigns or in the execution of their duties.
The call for protection extends to politicians at all levels, from local councils to the German Parliament and the European Parliament. Last Friday, SPD leader Matthias Ecke, a member of the European Parliament, was assaulted and seriously injured by four young men while putting up campaign posters in Dresden. These incidents underscore the pressing need for concerted efforts to ensure the safety and security of politicians across Germany.
