Following the fatal car accident in Mannheim, the Greens have called for a determined search for recurring patterns in recent events and improved prevention measures.
The Greens’ parliamentary group vice-chair, Konstantin von Notz, told the Rheinische Post that it is crucial to recognize recurring patterns and address existing deficits, such as the lack of cooperation among federal and state authorities, which has been a problem for years. He also emphasized the need to expand psychological support services and improve prevention in general.
Furthermore, von Notz suggested that it is necessary to examine the media’s role in the occurrence of such events, as they may increase the likelihood of similar incidents. He stated that one should not become desensitized to such tragedies.
The politician also expressed concern that the public’s reaction to the recent incident, resulting in two fatalities, was less intense compared to previous attacks, such as those in Magdeburg, Aschaffenburg and Munich. He attributed this to the instrumentalization of the event by far-right and populist groups, including the AfD, who often try to capitalize on such tragic events for political gain.
Von Notz criticized the tendency to lose interest in the victims and the incident once it was revealed that the perpetrator was German, rather than having a migration background. He described this as abhorrent and unacceptable and argued that it does not contribute to the country’s internal security.