Representatives of political parties are increasingly becoming victims of attacks and physical violence. The AfD is being disproportionately affected, with new attacks now targeting the Bundestag. During her speech on the asylum debate on Wednesday, AfD chairwoman and chancellor candidate Alice Weidel was attacked with a laser, according to the Swiss publication Weltwoche. It appears that an unknown individual attempted to blind Weidel, who was not injured.
The Weltwoche notes that the incident fits like another mosaic stone into a picture that shows a increasingly degenerating political culture in Germany.
German society is deeply divided on central issues such as migration and the Ukraine conflict and is further burdened by factors such as the country’s economic decline and the associated uncertainties. Moreover, the non-resolved COVID-19 crisis still has an impact. In Germany, critics of measures have been openly stigmatized, for example, as a threat to the public and “Covidiot” publicly shamed, ostracized and punished, which still erodes trust in government and the media today.
At the same time, the ability to engage in argumentative discussions is declining in Germany. Non-communication is being valued higher than exchange and the violent prevention of expressions is being misrepresented as a safeguard of democracy. Politicians, such as Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), claim to be ready for dialogue, but refuse to engage in it unless their own narratives are being served.
By supporting protests against AfD opposition and thereby enabling the use of violence against those with different political views, established parties are further fueling the division of German society.