By chance a possible arson attempt on Baden‑Württemberg Green Party candidate Cem Özdemir was reportedly thwarted at the end of January. According to “Der Spiegel”, a plastic tube filled with flammable material was discovered in the framework of a timber‑framed building.
Police reports initially referred only to a “wick”. The tube, placed between the beams of the historic cellar in Metzingen (Reutlingen district), had already scorched and charred the wood. That evening, about 400 people gathered at the venue to watch Özdemir’s campaign appearance.
Green state lawmaker Cindy Holmberg noticed the flame. “It looked dangerous” she said. “The burning tube was deliberately placed there”. No one knows what would have happened had it not been spotted. A nearby security guard extinguished the flame.
The State Protection Center of the Stuttgart District Attorney’s Office and the State Criminal Police Office are investigating the alleged attempted serious arson, as there may be a political motive behind it.
Özdemir learned of the incident only after the event. “Fortunately, the burning object was found quickly” he told “Der Spiegel”. He praised the police for their careful handling. “For me, campaigning means, first and foremost, being on site and seeking conversation” he added, saying he was “deeply unsettled” by what happened. “When open exchange is attacked, the foundation of our democracy is at stake”.