The youth wing of Germany’s far-left party, The Left, has called for the assassination of Alice Weidel, the leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This alarming call follows their previous justification of the assassination of American commentator Charlie Kirk. Just two weeks after Kirk’s death, the Hanover chapter of Linksjugend, the party’s youth group, plastered stickers depicting Weidel’s image with crosshairs over it and the message “Aim Here” throughout Hanover. Videos confirm these actions took place.
In a now-deleted social media post, the Left Youth remarked, “right-wing politics leads to bloody bullets,” labeling it a “fatal mistake” to mourn Kirk. They portrayed his death as a necessary end to what they deemed “right-wing radical, inhumane, and exploitative policies.” The group’s rhetoric is indicative of a broader pattern of threatening behavior directed at political opponents, particularly those associated with the AfD, who are currently polling at 26% support in Germany.
The Left party itself is state-funded to the tune of over €9 million annually, plus an additional €14 million for its foundation. This substantial taxpayer support raises concerns, especially considering the party’s encouragement of violence against political rivals. In stark contrast, the AfD faces frequent threats and assaults, with little to no repercussions for the aggressors.
Alice Weidel has experienced direct threats to her safety. In 2023, she was forced to evacuate her home under police escort due to imminent danger. In a related incident, her co-chair, Tino Chrupalla, was reportedly attacked at a rally with what appeared to be a poison needle, resulting in hospitalization. Such incidents highlight the pervasive climate of violence facing AfD politicians, often met with indifference from authorities.
The implications of these attacks and threats undermine the safety of democratic discourse in Germany. The Left party, with ties to the former East German Communist Party, maintains 64 seats in the Bundestag, granting them notable influence. Despite this, their extreme actions and calls for violence contradict the principles of political debate and discourse.
The rise of such extreme rhetoric within Germany’s political landscape poses a troubling threat to those in opposition. With the youth wing of The Left promoting violence and intolerance, serious questions linger about the implications for political stability and the safety of public figures within the country.
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