Election campaign under fire: 200 crimes against posters in Rhineland-Palatinate!

Election campaign under fire: 200 crimes against posters in Rhineland-Palatinate!

In the run-up to the Bundestag election in Rhineland-Palatinate, over 200 crimes have so far been registered, which are mainly directed against election posters. According to the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior, the police recorded 206 cases, including two violent offenses. The situation appears tense because not all incidents are documented. Here is an increase compared to the 2021 election campaign, in which a total of 245 crimes, including four by violence, were registered. The CDU Rhineland-Palatinate reports a significant increase in vandal files, while the left also determines a slight increase in the posters relating to the posters.  Tagesschau reports that both election workers and the parties are confronted with a rougher atmosphere.

The negative development at voting stands is particularly striking. Daniel Reissmann from the SPD Rhineland-Palatinate describes that the tone has become significantly more aggressive towards campaign helpers. The FDP district association has made similar observations. In addition, campaign helpers from the Greens report insults from passing cars. The physical attack on an SPD member in Kaiserslautern-Einsiedlerhof, which was attacked by three hooded people, is worrying.

legal framework conditions

vandalism of election posters is not an isolated case in Rhineland-Palatinate. Such acts largely fall under the criminal regulations of property damage. According to paragraph 303 of the Criminal Code, this can be punished with up to two years of imprisonment or a fine, according to paragraph 303 of the Criminal Code. On the other hand, tearing or taking posters is classified as theft, which, according to paragraph 242 of the Criminal Code, can also be punished with up to five years of imprisonment.  AK-KURIER also emphasizes that are also written on posters.

The uncertainty among the campaign helpers is correspondingly large. Interior Minister Michael Ebling warns of the dangers of intimidation of everyone who works for the common good in the political area. Despite the hostility, Sertac Bilgin, a Turkish-born Union politician, receives both support from strangers on the street and solidarity after attacking the SPD helper. Such incidents illustrate the continuing tensions in the current election campaign, which endanger both the security of the election workers and the integrity of the democratic process.

While the interior minister and the parties take measures to ensure the security of the election workers, it remains to be seen whether they can counteract the increasing aggressiveness. The upcoming elections are now accompanied by the question of how politically motivated violence and vandalism can be contained in the election campaign.

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