Chrupalla condemns attack on SPD candidate Ecke

The AfD chairman Tino Chrupalla has condemned the brutal attack by unknown persons on the Saxon SPD MEP Matthias Ecke. "We deeply condemn physical attacks against politicians of all parties. Election campaigns must be conducted in a tough and constructive manner, but without violence," wrote the leader of the federal party and parliamentary group, who himself comes from Saxony, on the internet platform X on Saturday. "I wish Mr. @MattEcke much strength and a speedy recovery."

Politicians from the SPD had previously also blamed the AfD for the climate in which such acts of violence occur.

Ecke is the Saxon SPD's lead candidate for the European elections on 9 June. He was attacked and seriously injured on Friday evening in Dresden while putting up posters. Four unknown persons hit the 41-year-old, so that he had to be operated on, as the police and party announced on Saturday. According to the police, the same group had probably attacked and injured a 28-year-old Green Party campaign worker minutes earlier, also while he was putting up posters. Politicians from several parties strongly condemned the attacks.