It is the biggest election year in history, but many of those running for office around the globe have a lot more to fear than just their political opponents. Politically motivated violence is on the rise, and Germany is no exception. Last Friday, a politician hanging campaign posters was beaten up so badly, he had to be hospitalized. And now, Berlin’s former mayor was attacked and injured at a library.

Social Democrat Franziska Giffey was hit over the head by an assailant wielding a bag containing a solid object. A 74-year man has been arrested.

These recent incidents are fueling fears about the security of politicians and activists in Germany. The latest in the eastern city of Dresden was caught on camera by a DW team.

For more on this, we talk to Vera Bergengruen. She is a Senior Correspondent at TIME Magazine and has tracked violent threats, harassment, and attacks targeting public officials in the US and elsewhere.

We also speak with Axel Reitz. He’s a former neo-Nazi who now runs a de-radicalization and anti-extremism program.

And we talk to Paula Piechotta, a member of the German parliament for the Greens.

#Politicians #Attacks #Germany

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