Janice R. Andrews
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has urged the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party not to exploit the recent attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, which left five people dead and over 200 injured ¹. Faeser condemned the AfD’s attempts to capitalize on the tragedy, calling it “despicable” and stating that it “only shows the character of those who do such things.”
The attack, which occurred on December 25, involved a car being driven into crowds at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany. The suspected perpetrator, 50-year-old Taleb A.*, is currently in pre-trial detention. Police are investigating his motives, and it has been reported that he was a prolific user of a social media platform, where he expressed critical views of Islam and Saudi Arabia, as well as support for the AfD.
The AfD held a rally in Magdeburg on Monday, attended by approximately 3,500 people. Germany is set to hold snap elections in late February, and the AfD has been polling second behind the conservative CDU/CSU alliance.
Faeser emphasized the need to support the first responders and emergency personnel who have been affected by the attack. She also expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and assured that everything is being done to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack ¹.
