SPD Candidate Matthias Ecke Brutally Attacked in Dresden

Matthias Ecke, the 41-year-old lead candidate for the German Social Democrats (SPD) in Saxony, was severely injured in a brutal assault on Friday evening while hanging campaign posters in Dresden. The attack, carried out by a group of three or four unknown individuals, occurred as Ecke campaigned for the upcoming European Parliament election.

Why this matters: This attack on a prominent political figure highlights the growing threat of political violence in Europe, which can have a chilling effect on democratic participation and freedom of speech. It also underscores the need for authorities to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of political candidates and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

According to the SPD, Ecke's injuries require emergency surgery. The assault took place while Ecke's team was hanging posters on Schandauer Strasse in Dresden-Striesen around 10:30 p.m. The unknown assailants suddenly appeared, insulting the team with homophobic slurs before launching their violent attack.

Another incident occurred shortly before the attack on Ecke, where a 28-year-old man was assaulted while hanging posters for the Green Party. The victim was injured but did not require surgery. Authorities believe the attackers were the same in both instances, based on similar descriptions and the proximity in time and location of the two assaults.

Henning Homan, head of the SPD in Saxony, and Kathrin Michel, regional party co-leader, condemned the attacks, stating, "The series of attacks by thugs against election campaigners of democratic parties are an attack on the foundations of our democracy." The SPD further denounced the violence on X (formerly Twitter), declaring, "Violence and intimidation against democrats are the means of the fascist."

The attack on Matthias Ecke is believed to be politically motivated, with the perpetrators using homophobic slurs during the assault. As the lead candidate for the SPD in the upcoming European Parliament election, Ecke is a prominent figure in Saxony politics. The severity of his injuries and the need for emergency surgery underscore the viciousness of the attack.

The SPD has strongly condemned the assault on Ecke and the attack on the Green Party member as an alarming threat to democracy. The party has called for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and to safeguard the democratic process as the European Parliament election approaches.

Key Takeaways

• Matthias Ecke, SPD lead candidate in Saxony, severely injured in brutal assault while campaigning.
• Attack occurred while Ecke was hanging posters in Dresden, with perpetrators using homophobic slurs.
• Ecke's injuries require emergency surgery; another Green Party member was also attacked nearby.
• Authorities believe same attackers were involved in both incidents, with similar descriptions and proximity.
• SPD condemns attacks as threat to democracy, calls for thorough investigation and justice.