Newly Elected Mayor Stabbed in Germany, Critical Condition

The newly elected mayor of Herdecke, a town in western Germany, is in critical condition following a violent stabbing incident. According to a security source who spoke to Reuters on October 7, 2023, Iris Stalzer was discovered with multiple stab wounds at her home by her son. She was set to officially take office in November after winning the mayoral election just a week prior.

Local police have cordoned off the area around Stalzer’s residence as they conduct an investigation. The mayor, a member of the Social Democrats, is a labour lawyer with significant experience in local politics. She resides in Herdecke, a historic town with a population of approximately 20,000. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his concern on social media, stating, “We have received news of a terrible deed in Herdecke. It must be swiftly investigated. We fear for the life of the mayor-designate and hope for her full recovery.”

Stalzer’s 15-year-old adopted son was taken from the scene in handcuffs, wearing an evidence-preserving overall, while her 17-year-old adopted daughter was also present in the house at the time of the incident. Reports from Bild indicate that the son informed police that his mother had been attacked by several men. Stalzer reportedly managed to drag herself back into her home after being assaulted around midday.

Context of Political Violence in Germany

This attack occurs amidst a troubling backdrop of political violence in Germany, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s largest state. A recent study revealed that 60 percent of politicians in Germany have encountered violence at least once, with one in five expressing increased reluctance to appear in public due to safety concerns. The motive for the attack on Stalzer remains unclear, but it evokes memories of past incidents, including the 2019 murder of conservative local government president Walter Luebcke, who was shot by a far-right activist.

In 2015, Henriette Reker survived a stabbing attack by a right-wing extremist just a day before she was elected mayor of Cologne. She fully recovered and is set to leave office later this year. The incident involving Stalzer highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of public officials in Germany and the increasingly hostile political climate.

Local and regional authorities have yet to comment on the situation. As the investigation unfolds, the community of Herdecke and the broader political landscape in Germany will be closely watching for updates on Stalzer’s condition and the circumstances surrounding this alarming incident.