Daniel Günther Condemns Violence in Election Campaign after SPD Bus Arson
Lübeck, Germany – Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister-President Daniel Günther (CDU) has roundly condemned the use of violence in election campaigns following the alleged arson attack on an SPD campaign van in Büchen.
"This is a direct assault on our free and democratic constitutional order. It fills me with horror and shock that politically motivated violence has become a factor in election campaigns in Schleswig-Holstein, and that protest is degenerating into violence," Günther declared.
He emphasized that the rule of law would not tolerate such actions. "These cowardly and contemptible deeds threaten our democracy and civil peace. All parties must stand together against such attacks," the Minister-President urged.
Over the weekend, a campaign bus belonging to Nina Scheer, the Bundestag representative for Herzogtum Lauenburg/Stormarn-Süd, was set ablaze. The police have indicated that arson is the suspected cause.
SPD Secretary-General Matthias Miersch and Serpil Midyatli, chairwoman of the Schleswig-Holstein SPD, have condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
Rise in Politically Motivated Violence
The incident in Büchen is the latest in a series of politically motivated acts of violence in Germany in recent months. Just last week, a regional office of the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia was targeted in an arson attack. In April, a left-wing cultural center in Berlin was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti.
Experts have expressed concern over the rising tide of political extremism in Germany, fueled in part by the growing presence of far-right groups and the spread of conspiracy theories online.
Call for De-escalation and Dialogue
In the face of mounting tensions, political leaders and civil society organizations have called for de-escalation and a return to respectful dialogue.
Günther has appealed to all parties to exercise restraint and to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful and fair manner. "Political differences must be settled through debate and argumentation, not through violence," he said.
The Minister-President has also stressed the importance of promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual respect in society. "We must stand up to hatred and extremism, and we must work together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all," he concluded.
Democratic Values at Stake
The recent acts of political violence have underscored the fragility of democratic values in Germany. As the country prepares for federal elections on September 26, it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to ensure that the campaign is conducted in a safe and democratic manner.
The use of violence to intimidate or silence political opponents has no place in a modern and diverse society. It is incumbent upon all parties to reject extremism and to uphold the principles of free speech and the rule of law.
Only through dialogue and mutual respect can Germany maintain its hard-won democratic values and continue to be a beacon of stability and unity in Europe.
