The former German Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating threat of political violence following a recent arrest in Dortmund. Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Lauterbach expressed deep concern over a purported “death list” reportedly discovered during a search of a German-Polish national, which allegedly included the names of former federal ministers.
“I don’s know whether I am on this list or not” Lauterbach stated, highlighting the palpable sense of unease permeating Germany’s political landscape. He characterized a worrying trend of diminishing inhibitions, where extremist voices openly discuss acts of retribution, kidnapping, or even assassination of politicians online.
Lauterbach confirmed he regularly receives threats, which he reports to authorities and for which he is currently under security protection. He directly linked the increased accessibility of illegal weaponry, evidenced by the recent discovery of a massive illicit arms cache in Remscheid, to the heightened risk.
“The Ukraine war has drastically increased the number of high-caliber weapons circulating within Germany” Lauterbach explained, further emphasizing the role of the darknet as a platform for fundraising for such attacks. He articulated a clear connection between the willingness to commit violence against politicians, the ease of securing funding and the availability of arms.
This latest warning comes after four individuals were convicted in Koblenz earlier this year, receiving lengthy sentences for their planning to abduct an SPD politician. Lauterbach stressed that this represents a long-term danger that demands immediate and comprehensive action. He called for systematic monitoring of online spaces, enhanced resources for both the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and state-level criminal investigation departments and improved protection for endangered individuals. The implications extend beyond personal security, raising fundamental questions about the erosion of democratic values and the need for proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of German political life. Critics, however, may question whether increased surveillance and heightened security measures risk further polarizing the political climate and potentially encroaching on civil liberties.