BERLIN, May 23, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - German President Frank-Walter
Steinmeier said Thursday he was worried by the growing trend of
violence towards politicians after a series of attacks on lawmakers at
work or on the campaign trail.

"We must never get used to violence in the battle of political opinions,"
Steinmeier said at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the German
constitution.

The basic law, promulgated in 1949, was a response to Germany's
experience with political violence during World War II, Steinmeier said.
"No one knew better than the mothers and fathers of the constitution
how violence undermines a democracy and tears down its foundations,"
Steinmeier said.

The threat of political violence had again reared its head in Germany, the
president said.

"We have received news of physical attacks on elected officials and
politically active people almost every day," he said.

"I am deeply concerned about the coarsening of political life in our
country."

Earlier this month, police arrested a man on suspicion of hitting a former
mayor of Berlin in the head during a visit to a public library.

Franziska Giffey, who is now the Berlin state economy minister and a
member of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), was treated in
hospital for light injuries.

Giffey's assault came just days after a European member of parliament,
also from the SPD, had to be hospitalised after four people attacked him
while he was out canvassing.

Senior members of the government have also been confronted by angry
mobs in recent months, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck blocked
from leaving a ferry by a group of protesters.

In his speech, Steinmeier also recalled the politically motivated murder
of the conservative politician Walter Luebcke by neo-Nazis in 2019.
"His death is a reminder of how hate can turn into violence," Steinmeier
said.

This week also saw proceedings open against the alleged ringleaders of a
group who are said to have planned to storm the German parliament and
overthrow the government.

The group of so-called Reichsbuerger, who deny the legitimacy of the
modern German republic, allegedly planned to take MPs hostage and
had compiled "lists of enemies" to be eliminated, according to
prosecutors.