Attacks on elected representatives: Greens demand insurance
Due to a significant increase in attacks on politicians, members of parliament and other elected officials in Brandenburg, the Greens have once again called for legal protection insurance for honorary local politicians. In addition, the contact point at the Ministry of the Interior, where those affected can seek advice after threats or hostility, must be expanded, said state chairwoman Alexandra Pichl on Wednesday according to a press release.
"The state must provide better protection for local politicians, because they fight for democracy on the ground every day," said Pichl. In addition to equipping the contact point with more staff, legal protection insurance is an important prerequisite for those affected to be able to defend themselves. "It is often a question of money to get legal advice," she explained. "The expense allowance alone is not enough."
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of attacks on politicians increased significantly in the first nine months of this year. From January to the end of September 2023, 163 such crimes occurred. In the same period last year, 108 attacks against office holders and elected officials were registered. That is an increase of a good 50 percent. These mainly involved offenses such as defamation, slander and threats. Suspects were identified in 120 cases.
The rise in extremist rhetoric at local parties could potentially escalate into physical attacks, necessitating the need for more comprehensive insurance coverage for elected officials. It's crucial to address the issue of extremism within party circles to prevent such escalations.
Given the escalating trend of crime against elected representatives, it's imperative to strengthen measures against political extremism, including providing robust insurance coverage to protect them financially in the event of legal proceedings resulting from these attacks.
Source: www.dpa.com
