Local politicians — insulted, threatened, and attacked | DW News

Summary

The transcript describes a series of attacks on local politicians in Germany, highlighting the increasing threats they face. M Miller, a Social Democrat politician, narrowly escaped an incendiary attack on his home, which he believes is linked to his call for a demonstration against right-wing extremism. The script also mentions other incidents, including physical attacks and assassinations of local officials. It emphasizes the fear and potential withdrawal from public service this creates, threatening democracy at the local level. The need for a nationwide contact point for threatened politicians is discussed, as well as the importance of addressing the root causes of such violence, including the aggressive political discourse.

Takeaways

• 🔥 An incendiary device was used against the home of M Miller, a local Social Democrat politician, escalating from his car to his front door.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 M Miller was not home during the attack, but guests with two children were present, indicating potential harm to innocents.
• 🚨 The incident is being treated as an attempted murder, highlighting the severity of the threat.
• 🔍 A special commission is investigating the attack, which occurred shortly after M Miller called for a demonstration against rightwing extremism.
• 🤔 M Miller suspects a connection between the attack and other incidents of vandalism against SPD politicians' offices.
• 🏛️ Local politicians in Germany face significant threats, with many experiencing insults, threats, or physical attacks.
• 🏆 Mayors in Germany have considered retiring due to safety concerns, which could lead to fewer people participating in local government.
• 🗣️ The political atmosphere in Germany has become increasingly hostile, with local politicians feeling the need to withdraw from politics.
• 📣 There is a call for more involvement in local politics without fear, as well as a need for a nationwide contact point for threatened local politicians.
• 📝 Many local politicians do not file complaints due to past experiences of no meaningful response or action.
• 🌐 The establishment of a contact point aims to provide support and guidance for those affected by threats.

Q & A

What happened at the home of M Miller, the local Social Democrat politician?

Incendiary devices were used to target M Miller's home, first at his car and then at his front door. The entrance of the house was set on fire, and a tire was placed under the fuel tank of the car.

Was anyone at home during the attack on M Miller's residence?

M Miller was not at home during the attack, but he had guests, a family with two children, and an expert who was there to inspect the entrance.

What category does the attack on M Miller's home fall under?

The attack is considered an attempted murder, as someone was supposed to be killed.

What event did M Miller call for a few days before the attack?

M Miller called for a demonstration against right-wing extremism in his hometown of Vas Hous in Turingia.

What other incidents involving politicians occurred on the same night as the attack on M Miller's office windows?

On the same night, the office windows of three SPD politicians in Thia were smashed.

What concerns do local politicians like M Miller have regarding their safety?

Local politicians are concerned about the increasing threats, insults, and physical attacks, which may lead to fewer people willing to serve in local government due to fear.

What happened to the Mayor of Cologne in 2015?

The Mayor of Cologne narrowly escaped death when a right-wing extremist stepped on her neck one day before the election.

What was the worst incident involving a German politician in 2019?

In 2019, the worst incident was the murder of the District President V Lupka by a right-wing extremist.

What percentage of Germany's Mayors have considered retiring due to safety concerns?

19% of Mayors have considered retiring from politics out of concern for their own safety or that of their families.

What initiative is being taken to support threatened local politicians in Germany?

A nationwide contact point for threatened local politicians is being prepared, starting in the summer of 2024, to provide support and guidance.

Why is it important for local politicians to file complaints about threats they receive?

Filing complaints is important to get a more accurate picture of the threat situation and to ensure a meaningful response or action is taken.

How does the aggressive political atmosphere affect local democracy, according to the mayor of Tosen?

If local politicians reach a point where they cancel events or feel like they're being followed by a mob, they can no longer freely communicate their opinions in public, which means democracy doesn't work anymore.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Political Violence and Its Impact

The script describes an incident of attempted murder involving incendiary devices targeting the home of M Miller, a local Social Democrat politician. The attack was not a random event, as Miller had recently called for a demonstration against rightwing extremism. The script also highlights the broader issue of violence against politicians in Germany, with many experiencing threats, insults, or physical attacks. The consequences of such violence on democracy and the reluctance of local politicians to report these incidents due to lack of response are discussed. The narrative emphasizes the need for solidarity and a more responsible political discourse to prevent further escalation.

05:02

📢 Support and Reporting for Threatened Politicians

This paragraph discusses the challenges faced by local politicians who are threatened, including the confusion over where to report such incidents. It emphasizes the importance of filing complaints to get an accurate picture of the threat situation and the stress it puts on democracy. The script also touches on the role of politicians in contributing to a hostile atmosphere and the need for a more considerate approach to public discourse. M Miller's decision to be more mindful of his tone and the call for solidarity among politicians are highlighted, as well as the upcoming nationwide contact point for threatened local politicians.

Keywords

💡Incendiary devices

Incendiary devices are tools or substances designed to start fires, often used in violent acts or warfare. In the video, these devices were used to target a politician's home and car, indicating a serious threat to the individual's safety and a potential act of attempted murder.

💡Social Democrat politician

A Social Democrat politician is an individual who represents the political ideology of social democracy, which advocates for economic and social justice within a democratic framework. In the context of the video, M Miller is a local Social Democrat politician who has faced threats and attacks, highlighting the challenges faced by those in public service.

💡Attempted murder

Attempted murder refers to the act of trying to kill someone, but not succeeding. It is a serious criminal offense. In the video, the use of incendiary devices at the politician's home is categorized as attempted murder, emphasizing the severity of the threat.

💡Rightwing extremism

Rightwing extremism is a political ideology characterized by strong conservative or reactionary views, often advocating for the maintenance of traditional social orders and opposing liberal or egalitarian reforms. In the video, rightwing extremism is portrayed as a source of violence and threats against politicians, particularly those who oppose it.

💡Public service

Public service refers to the work of individuals in various government departments or public sector organizations, serving the community and the nation. The video discusses the risks and fears associated with public service, particularly for local politicians who may face threats to their safety.

💡Local government

Local government refers to the administrative division of a country, state, or community, responsible for managing local affairs, such as public services, infrastructure, and local laws. The video highlights the importance of local government in implementing federal and state decisions and the challenges faced by local politicians in doing so.

💡Threatened local politicians

Threatened local politicians are individuals who hold or seek public office at the local level and are subjected to intimidation, harassment, or violence due to their political positions or actions. The video discusses the need for a nationwide contact point to support these politicians and address the threats they face.

💡Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislation, typically through elected representatives. The video suggests that threats to local politicians can undermine democracy by preventing open communication and decision-making at the local level.

💡Solidarity

Solidarity refers to the unity or agreement among individuals with similar interests, often in support of a common cause or goal. In the context of the video, solidarity is important for threatened politicians to feel supported and safe in their roles.

💡Political atmosphere

The political atmosphere refers to the prevailing mood, attitudes, and behaviors within a political environment. The video suggests that a hostile political atmosphere can lead to violence and threats against politicians, affecting their ability to serve their communities.

Highlights

Incendiary devices were used to target the home of M Miller, a local Social Democrat politician.

The attack involved a car and the front door of M Miller's home.

M Miller was not at home during the attack, but there were guests and children present.

The incident is being investigated as an attempted murder.

M Miller had recently called for a demonstration against right-wing extremism.

On the same night, office windows of three SPD politicians were smashed.

M Miller and other local politicians face threats and attacks, affecting their willingness to serve.

Mayors in Germany have experienced insults, threats, or physical attacks, with some considering retirement due to safety concerns.

The mayor of Cologne narrowly escaped death in 2015, and other politicians have faced similar threats.

A survey reveals that over half of Germany's Mayors have been insulted or threatened, and 19% have thought about retiring for safety reasons.

Local politicians face challenges in maintaining democracy when they cannot freely communicate or hold events.

The mayor of Tosen faced extreme atmosphere and hatred during her election campaign, including concerns about her husband's Turkish origin.

The mayor of Tosen has been warning of the consequences for years and has initiated initiatives for support.

A nationwide contact point for threatened local politicians is being prepared for summer 2024.

Many threatened politicians do not file complaints due to past experiences of no meaningful response.

The contact point aims to provide support and guidance for threatened local politicians.

Local politicians are crucial for implementing federal and state decisions and shaping the political atmosphere.

M Miller plans to be more mindful of his tone in politics to set a positive example.

Transcripts

incendiary devices targeting the home of

a politician first at his car then at

his front door for M Miller a local

Social Democrat politician everything

has changed since then suddenly every

sound every movement can also mean

Danger on the day of the attack Mah was

not at home but had guests a family with

two

children an expert was here to take

another look at

it entrance of the house was set on

fire also a tire under the fuel tank of

the car and there was a light on in the

house someone was supposed to be killed

and that in practice puts it into the

category of attempted

murder now a special commission is

investigating just a few days earlier M

Miller had called for a demonstration

against rightwing extremism in his

hometown of vas hous in turingia he

doesn't believe in

coincidences first of all it was very

suspicious or was it a very strange

coincidence that same night the office

Windows of three SPD politicians here in

Thia were also smashed and all in one

night that would have been quite a

coincidence M Miller doesn't want to be

afraid but it's hard local politicians

like him are well known in the area in

Vitas Howen a lot of people know where

he lives and which car he drives the

question quickly arises is public

service worth of

fear is it worth sacrificing my free

time for this society which threatens me

in

return that could mean there will be

fewer and fewer people who give up their

time and service in local government on

City and Municipal councils as honorary

Mayors or something like

that what do politicians experience in

Germany are they still safe henria Rica

the mayor of cologne narrowly escaped

death in 2015 one day before the

election a right-wing extremist stepped

her in the

neck Andreas hin mayor of the city of

ala was also stepped in the neck by an

anti-refugee as salent in

2017 in 2020 shots were fired at the

constituency office of SPD member of the

bundestag kamba diabi

2019 saw the worst incident the casa

District president V lupka was murdered

by a right-wing

extremist according to a survey more

than half of Germany's Mayors have been

insulted threatened or physically

attacked 19% of Mayors have considered

retiring from politics out of concern

for their own safety or that of their

families we K shatz is the mayor of the

Eastern German city of tosen even during

the election campaign she experienced a

lot of

[Music]

hatred well during my election campaign

we had a very extreme atmosphere in the

city of Ts for example we had faced the

question of whether the new mayor would

islamize the city of tsen because my

husband is of Turkish origin what is

still very difficult I can also see is

the political atmosphere which is

slanderous threats insults physical

attacks the almost 12,000 Mayors in

Germany usually face the frustration

with government from citizens

first if you're at the point where you

cancel events if you're at the point

where you feel like you're being

followed by a mob that you can no longer

freely communicate your own opinion in

public then democracy doesn't work

anymore and that's where we are right

now in my

opinion many local politicians are

therefore thinking about withdrawing

from politics bip shahin Schatz has been

warning of the consequences for years

she talked about it with the German

president and initiated the strong and

office initiative with

others and that's a really big challenge

because we're noticing that even now

especially when it comes to local

elections right-wing parties right-wing

oriented people are being put forward

and you see very little efforts from the

rest of society in getting involved in

doing local politics

and if there's simply no one solid on

the ballot who should the voters vote

for the mayor of tosson wants more

people to get involved in politics again

and not have to be

afraid in the meantime many politicians

have been alarmed starting in the summer

of 2024 there will be a Nationwide

contact point for threatened local

politicians Marcus Kuba is helping to

prepare

why is there a need for a contact point

for threatened local

politicians from conversations in the

past we have heard that those affected

often do not know whether to take it to

the local police or if perhaps it's

something for a special contact point in

the country is it the public

prosecutor's office or is it a civil

society service we would like to support

and give

guidance

why do many of those threatened not file

complaints I hear again and again that

many local politicians don't do this

because they may have done it in the

past and then nothing happened or they

didn't get any feedback that there would

be a meaningful response or action

taken nevertheless it would be very very

important in order to get a more

accurate picture of the threat situation

or the stress situation at some

point

how is it a danger to democracy when

local politicians are

threatened decisions at the federal and

state level must be explained to the

people in

municipalities they must be implemented

compromises must be sought locally in

the municipalities in order to implement

them at the same time however local

officials and elected officials also

pick up on the mood and therefore shape

the decision-making processes in the

political parties and thus in the whole

m m has found the right points of

contact with the police and interia but

even more important to him is the

solidarity from those around him however

he does not consider politics to be

blameless in raising the temperature of

the

atmosphere if you listen to speeches in

the bundestag how aggressive it can get

I can't even watch it in one go it can

be so

aggressive so others watching think I

can deal with my neighbor the same way

just like

I think politicians should be much more

aware of the role model

effect M Miller has decided to pay much

more attention to his tone in the future

and he hopes that others will do the

same