In the aftermath of the shooting in Graz, the SPD chairperson, Saskia Esken, has emphasized the importance of safety in schools. According to her, schools and educational institutions should provide a secure environment for children and young people to grow, develop and flourish.
Esken, who is also the chair of the Education and Family Committee in the German Bundestag, stressed the significance of a sense of security that children and young people require. This feeling, she said, was fundamentally shaken by the attack and it is crucial to clarify the background of this heinous act.
In a statement to the Rheinische Post, Esken expressed deep empathy for the victims and their families, wishing a swift recovery for the injured. She also extended her condolences to the families and friends of the victims, who were largely young people at the beginning of their life’s journey. The SPD chairperson concluded by saying that she and her party stand in solidarity with the school community, the people of Graz and the people of Austria.