As this year’s election nears, Germany’s political atmosphere is charged with the subject of immigration. However, the recent violent incident has flung this topic into a far sharper spotlight. We observe yet another unfortunate event involving an outsider in this incident, marking the third of its kind for the year, following other unrelated criminal activities in Solingen and Mannheim.
Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is the runner-up in nationwide polls, is almost certain to criticise the event, referencing the offender’s origin – a worker from Saudi who migrated to Germany in 2006. Alongside this, Friedrich Merz of the centre-right Christian Democrats, currently topping the polls for the upcoming election, will experience mounting demands for stricter security and immigration policies.
Friedrich Merz has expressed previously the need for a state-wide ’emergency’ treatment of the migration issues, following a prior assault in Solingen. The timing of recent incident on the cusp of Christmas, striking at a locale that embodies German tradition – the joyous winter market where various communities converge for holiday celebrations – has made the event all the more inflaming.
We cannot feign ignorance when Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, voices her dismay regarding these ‘insane’ liberal policies on social media shortly after the heartbreaking incident. Her journey to Magdeburg to offer her condolences allows us to observe this sentiment in action. Furthermore, the AfD has made moves to plan a public demonstration for this Monday.
The idea that far-fetched liberal policies are tearing at the fabric of German society has been a central theme in AfD’s campaigning efforts for an extensive period. This narrative appears to have a firm hold on the voters, with polls suggesting a high probability of the AfD seizing the position of the main opposition party in the upcoming February election.
Merz, nearly a decade since Merkel’s infamous open-door policy, vows to reject a significant number of migrants from German borders if he is voted into office. This pledge comes in light of an overwhelming shift in opinion against a laissez-faire approach to migration among German political leadership.
In an ironic twist, the incumbent chancellor and SPD party head, Olaf Scholz, renowned for his leftist inclinations, has also strengthened his stance against open migration. Earlier this year, his administration implemented temporary passport controls at all of Germany’s land borders, aiming to curb the influx of unlawful immigrants.
Even the recently-formed left-wing BSW party, helmed by Sahra Wagenknecht, has expressed concerns over mass immigration. Wagenknecht noted that the surge of refugees, especially from Ukraine, was placing undue strain on German public services, such as education and healthcare.
Opponents of Scholz may be swift to use this latest tragedy as another example of his inability to uphold national security. However, the man behind the recent incident is an anomaly with a contradictory profile. Despite the obvious similarities between his act and the method of Islamic State attacks, his political views have been reported as ‘Islamophobic’ by Germany’s internal affairs department.
Intriguingly, this assailant has also voiced approval for the AfD due to their unwavering opposition to extensive Muslim immigration into Germany. This information may pose a tricky conundrum for AfD if they decide to incorporate this event as a significant component in their election campaign. Detractors would argue that his views on Islam align remarkably well with theirs.
The attack, although bearing similarities to the regrettable incidents in Solingen and Mannheim, carries marked contrasts against them. Firstly, the perpetrator is a Saudi national, having legally emigrated to Germany in 2006, compared to the Syrian and Afghan citizens involved in the Solingen and Mannheim incidents respectively.
Furthermore, whereas the perpetrators of the prior events had their requests for asylum declined (yet remained in the country due to technicalities), the recent offender was granted asylum as he risked mistreatment if he were to return to his home country. This discrepancy may indicate weaknesses in local security protocols and domestic surveillance, rather than revealing flaws in overarching migration regulations.
The unshakeable fact that this man came to Germany through legal routes may potentially dull the fervor of AfD’s anti-migration discourse. However, given the circulating emotions and sentiments, a charged and polarized political field is expected in the upcoming German elections.
The strong demand among German voters for more stringent border controls is a clear indication of this sentiment and is assured to be a vital point on the election agenda. Regardless of the election’s outcome, this series of unfortunate events serve as a continued reminder that the issue of migration remains a pressing topic in Germany.