Analysis: Why German politicians are facing growing violence
German politicians have been experiencing a surge in physical and verbal attacks, with 22 assaults reported so far in 2024 compared to 27 in all of 2023. The Green party has been the most targeted, with 1,219 incidents reported last year, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with 478 incidents. The rise in confrontations is attributed to the divisive rhetoric of populist politics, affecting the overall mood and safety of politicians. The attacks have led to concerns about the impact on election outcomes and have prompted some politicians to take precautions, such as avoiding publicizing campaign events and increasing security measures.