World
Berlin senator attacked amid trend of assaults on German politicians – Europe live
Berlin senator struck on head amid attacks on German politicians
Franziska Giffey, a Berlin senator and former city mayor, was injured when a man struck her from behind with a heavy object in a local library, police said today, Reuters reported.
Giffey, local minister for the economy and a member of the Social Democrats (SPD), was hit on the head and neck with a bag containing something hard, the police statement said. Giffey went to hospital for a short time.
The attack comes at a time of growing concern in Germany about a spate of attacks against politicians.
Four German teenagers are being investigated over a violent attack on Matthias Ecke, a member of the European parliament for the Social Democrats, that left him hospitalised with serious injuries.
Ecke was kicked and beaten to the ground on Friday evening as he put up bill posters for the SPD in the eastern city of Dresden.
Key events
The Left group in the European parliament said “the rise of the far-right in Europe is a threat to our fundamental rights and liberties.”
“The Left strongly condemns the brutal assault on MEP Matthias Ecke. This was an attack on all citizens, on democracy itself,” it added.
The Socialists and Democrats group in the European parliament said today that “when far-right activists attacked our comrade Matthias Ecke in Dresden last week, not only did they attack an elected representative. They attacked our democracy and our freedoms.”
“Never shall we surrender to extremist violence and hatred. We stand in solidarity with Matthias and all those who continue to strive for an open, democratic society. Now and always,” the group added.
There is a growing discussion in Germany about physical and verbal attacks targeting politicians.
DW has released footage of a Green politician being harassed and spat at in Dresden.
In a lengthy thread on social media, Franziska Giffey, a Berlin senator who was struck with a heavy object, said that she will continue her work but is concerned that people who are active politically are increasingly exposed to attacks.
Berlin senator struck on head amid attacks on German politicians
Franziska Giffey, a Berlin senator and former city mayor, was injured when a man struck her from behind with a heavy object in a local library, police said today, Reuters reported.
Giffey, local minister for the economy and a member of the Social Democrats (SPD), was hit on the head and neck with a bag containing something hard, the police statement said. Giffey went to hospital for a short time.
The attack comes at a time of growing concern in Germany about a spate of attacks against politicians.
Four German teenagers are being investigated over a violent attack on Matthias Ecke, a member of the European parliament for the Social Democrats, that left him hospitalised with serious injuries.
Ecke was kicked and beaten to the ground on Friday evening as he put up bill posters for the SPD in the eastern city of Dresden.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog.
Send your tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.