Like free game: When local politicians go under attack

Democracy - Like free game: When local politicians are harassed

Words that stir up trouble, said Dirk Neubauer, the Saxon district administrator, in a video explaining his resignation. He had been confronted with a vague threatening situation from the right for months. In addition to this, there were political blockades. He had reached a point where the independent municipal politician had to say: Enough. Now the concern is great. Once again, someone is saying: I can't do this anymore.

A "fatal signal" was given, explained the German Cities and Municipalities Association. Democracy is in danger. A monitoring report from the Federal Criminal Police Office shows that 38% of the 1,700 municipal officials surveyed in Germany experienced harassment between November 2022 and April 2023. Nearly a quarter of these were hate postings, with an increasing trend. Two percent were physical attacks. Only one in ten incidents were reported. The number of incidents had significantly increased during the Corona period, said a spokesperson for the German City Conference. "Unfortunately, the number of cases has not really decreased."

"Democracy not possible without those who engage"

The City Conference also sees consequences with concern. "If people no longer dare to run for office because they have to fear for their health, our democratic community will break down," said Association President Markus Lewe. Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckert warned: "Our democracy is not possible without those who engage, so the store can run."

Even Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed himself on the issue, not directly about the Neubauer case, but generally: Many are exposed to aggressive threats - "whether through words or sometimes beyond that," said the SPD politician. The tone of the societal debate should not be determined by "provocateurs."

"Threat not a consistent phenomenon"

The German Association of Counties is among those warning against generalizations. "It is not a consistent phenomenon for district administrators and district administrators in Germany to be threatened," said Association President Reinhard Sager to the German Press Agency (dpa). In general, the work in the districts functions well, and one can shape it. However, Sager also acknowledges that in municipal politics, "one is confronted with polemical criticism, including anonymous insults."

Not all who experience harassment simply put up with it, as Alexander Handschuh from the German Cities and Municipalities Association reports. "83% of the affected individuals suffer from psychological or physical consequences, especially where the family is also in the spotlight." Every tenth person gives up, Handschuh reports, referring to the BKA monitoring.

"Red lines reached"

In addition to Neubauer, there have been several others in recent times who have justified their planned departure from politics with experienced harassment. Among them was the Saxon CDU Bundestag member Yvonne Magwas. SPD politician Karamba Diaby from Saxony-Anhalt is also withdrawing.

The parliamentarian born in Africa has experienced almost everything as a politician, including an arson attack on his electoral office. "Some phases were very difficult," said Diaby to the dpa. "My employees were extorted, they were supposed to pay money or work for me. There were death threats. These are moments when red lines are crossed."

These events left him unaffected, said Diaby. "But people need to know: I will not be intimidated. That's exactly what these actors aim for, and I won't give in." Therefore, the 62-year-old also emphasized another reason for his departure: "After three legislative periods in the German Bundestag, it's time for new paths and making way for younger people."

"It wears me down politically and personally"

When politicians withdraw, many factors often come into play - as in Neubauer's case. The fact that there are more and more small, often loud parties and voter groups makes finding a majority difficult. The processes are long, and politicians argue about not being able to achieve much. When hostility is added, it simply drains some people.

The long-standing Green politician from Thuringia, Astrid Rothe-Beinlich, also wants to retire after the state election in September - at the age of 50. She cited personnel changes in politics as the reason for her decision. But she also said: "It wears me down politically and personally." She could no longer "bend myself until I'm unrecognizable."

"An end to harshness"

In the end, the question remains: Will there be enough people who engage in politics, who are willing to be elected and shaped by it in the long term? Those who are willing to embark on the lengthy search for compromises and constructive cooperation? It requires more restraint from society, said Bundestag Deputy Göring-Eckardt.

She called for a "party-transcending stop sign and a common call for a turnaround, to more respect and decency towards each other." She wished the country "an end to verbal harshness, which becomes digital defamation in the anonymous network and physical violence on the streets."

Dirk Neubauer, the Saxon district administrator, resigned due to a threatening situation from the right and political blockades, stating he had reached his limit.
The German Cities and Municipalities Association considered Neubauer's resignation a "fatal signal," warning that democracy was in danger.
A Federal Criminal Police Office report showed that 38% of the 1,700 municipal officials surveyed in Germany experienced harassment between November 2022 and April 2023.
Nearly a quarter of these harassments were hate postings, with an increasing trend, and only one in ten incidents were reported.
Markus Lewe, the President of the City Conference, expressed concern that people no longer dared to run for office due to fear for their health.
Katrin Göring-Eckart, Bundestag Vice President, warned that democracy could not function without engaged individuals.
Olaf Scholz, the SPD politician and Federal Chancellor, expressed concern over aggressive threats faced by many in societal debates.
Reinhard Sager, the President of the German Association of Counties, warned against generalizations, stating that threats were not a consistent phenomenon for district administrators.
Karamba Diaby, an SPD politician from Saxony-Anhalt, also withdrew due to experiences of arson attacks, extortion, death threats, and intimidation.
Alexander Handschuh from the German Cities and Municipalities Association reported that 83% of the affected individuals suffered from psychological or physical consequences.
Astrid Rothe-Beinlich, a long-standing Green politician from Thuringia, also wanted to retire due to the political and personal strain.
Katrin Göring-Eckardt called for a "party-transcending stop sign" and a common call for a turnaround to more respect and decency in politics.