- Greens' campaigners increasingly uncertain after attack
Following the attack on a Green Party election helper, uncertainty is growing in the election campaign just weeks before the state election in Brandenburg. Green Party state chairwoman Hanna Große Holtrup said: "It's also a threat to our democracy when you can no longer feel safe during the election campaign."
Violent incidents are still the exception, but reports of insults and verbal abuse at election stands and while putting up posters have been increasing, according to Große Holtrup.
Previously, the spokeswoman for the Green Party district association in Oberhavel, Anne Schumacher, had said: "We, as Greens, are only met with hostility, no matter what we do." Schumacher is running for the state parliament.
The state's criminal investigation department is investigating the attack.
Große Holtrup said in response: "The safety of our members is our top priority. This latest attack is a sad sign of the state of our democratic culture. We are determined to defend our democratic values and will not be intimidated."
Following the attack, there will be a meeting of Green Party politicians in Hohen Neuendorf this evening (6:00 PM). The party's top candidate for the September 22 state election, Antje Töpfer, is also expected to attend. The election campaigners plan to put up new posters and distribute election flyers.
The European Parliament expressed concern over the escalating tensions in Brandenburg's election campaign, considering the recent attack on a Green Party election helper. The attack served as a topic of discussion during a meeting of Green Party politicians in Hohen Neuendorf, attended by the party's top candidate for the state election, Antje Toépfer.
