Elections in Saxony overshadowed by crimes

The elections in Saxony are overshadowed by numerous crimes. According to the Saxon Ministry of the Interior, there have already been almost 900 politically motivated crimes in connection with the local, European and state elections this year. This was first reported by the newspaper "taz".

Most of the cases (815) involved damaged election posters. The SPD and the AfD were particularly affected. 55 incidents were directed against party representatives, in 14 cases party buildings were the target. However, 14 violent crimes were also recorded. The sad highlight was the brutal attack on SPD politician Matthias Ecke at the beginning of May. He had to be operated on in hospital.

The newspaper "taz" quoted Michael Nattke, Managing Director of the Saxony Cultural Office, as saying: "The fact that people campaigning in Saxony are mobbed or attacked is unfortunately already commonplace." There is a "heated atmosphere". "The far-right scene is very self-confident." In order to put a stop to this, it is important that all legal options are exhausted and that charges are brought against perpetrators more quickly. "A different prioritization is needed in the justice system."

A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony on September 1. According to SPD lead candidate Petra Köpping, the election campaign will be fiercer than ever before. She blames populists in several parties in particular for this.