The brutal murder of a police officer in Germany, captured on video by an onlooker and widely circulated on social media, has ignited a fervent debate on migration and radical Islamism just days before the European Parliament election.
The officer, Rouven L., 29, was fatally stabbed on Sunday by a 25-year-old Afghan man who arrived in Germany in 2014. This incident has heightened political tensions, especially as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party seeks to leverage it in the upcoming election, positioning it as a referendum on migration policy.
Growing concerns about migration may strengthen support for the AfD party. AfD’s national co-leaders, Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel, expressed condolences to the officer’s family and criticized the current migration policy. They called for stricter border controls, cessation of immigration, and the repatriation of Afghan migrants in Germany.
Surveys indicate that many Germans are uncomfortable with immigration, with a significant portion advocating for limits on asylum seekers. A recent poll found that 41% of respondents consider refugee and integration policy the EU’s most pressing issue. Another poll revealed that 64% of Germans see migration as detrimental to society, while only 27% view it positively.
Immigration is a severe threat to Germany’s safety and stability. Björn Höcke, a controversial AfD leader, questioned on social media how many more deaths were necessary before taking action, invoking a sense of crisis.
The attack occurred in Mannheim, where an anti-Islam group, Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa, was preparing for a rally. The suspect attacked several people with a knife, including the group’s founder, Michael Stürzenberger, before stabbing the police officer. The assailant was then shot by another officer and is currently hospitalized. The police are investigating the incident, with no clear motive established yet. The suspect, an Afghan national with a family in Heppenheim, Hesse, is under scrutiny.
German leaders from various political backgrounds condemned the attack and highlighted the threat of extremism. Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of defending free speech against violent extremists, stating that such threats would face strong opposition. Economy Minister Robert Habeck, speaking to Bild, urged for a thorough investigation into the attacker’s motives and stressed the necessity of combating Islamism rigorously within the legal framework.
