Surge in Election Poster Crimes in Hesse, Germany
Wiesbaden, Germany – In the lead-up to Germany’s federal election on February 23rd, the police in the state of Hesse have recorded a surge in crimes targeting election posters. Between November 28th and February 19th, authorities have counted a staggering 391 offenses involving damaged or vandalized posters.
The alarming spike in incidents has prompted Hesse’s Minister of the Interior, Roman Poseck (CDU), to express "great concern." He attributed the escalation to the heated debate surrounding the CDU’s five-point plan on migration, which was approved by parliament with the support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on January 29th.
Since then, the police in Hesse have registered 298 offenses specifically targeting election posters. A concerning breakdown of these crimes reveals that AfD posters were vandalized in 67 cases. Posters belonging to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) were affected in 63 incidents, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in 45, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 34, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and The Left (Die Linke) in 13 each, and the Beamtenbund und Tarifunion (BSW) in 3 cases.
In some instances, such as burned posters, it was impossible to determine which party was targeted.
"The number of unreported crimes is likely to be significantly higher," Poseck added. He emphasized that the police have already increased patrols around certain CDU party headquarters due to the heightened security risk.
The Minister of the Interior stressed that "the protection of peaceful political competition is a top priority, even in a heated election campaign." He appealed for responsible discourse, warning that "violence against property and individuals is taboo."
"It doesn’t matter who is targeted or what the motivation is. We must choose our words carefully, especially now," Poseck urged.
Breakdown of Crimes by Party
- AfD: 67
- CDU: 63
- Bündnis 90/Die Grünen: 45
- SPD: 34
- FDP: 13
- Die Linke: 13
- BSW: 3
- Other Parties: Unspecified
Types of Crimes
- Defacement or tearing
- Burning
- Theft
Geographical Distribution
The majority of the offenses have been reported in larger cities such as Frankfurt am Main, Wiesbaden, and Kassel. However, incidents have occurred throughout the state.
Investigation and Prosecution
The police in Hesse are actively investigating the crimes and pursuing criminal charges. According to Poseck, "decisive action will be taken against the perpetrators."
Impact on Election Campaign
The surge in poster crimes has raised concerns about the potential impact on the election campaign. Candidates and parties have expressed fears that the vandalism and intimidation tactics could suppress political participation and create an atmosphere of fear.
Call for Civility and Respect
In response to the alarming trend, politicians and civil society groups have issued appeals for civility and respect. They have emphasized the importance of allowing all voices to be heard and engaging in respectful debate.
As Germany prepares for its federal election, the focus should remain on open and constructive dialogue, free from violence and intimidation. Only then can the country truly live up to its democratic values.
