Attack on CDU Campaign Workers in Berlin: Young Union Member Assaulted

Wed 5th Feb, 2025

In a troubling incident during a political campaign in Berlin, two members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) were subjected to verbal abuse and a physical attack on Wednesday evening at Winterfeldtplatz in Schöneberg. A 24-year-old campaign worker reported that he was assaulted after being insulted by an unknown assailant.

According to a spokesperson for the Berlin police, the attack occurred around 6:35 PM when the campaigners were engaged in their political activities. Although the police responded promptly, the perpetrator fled the scene and has yet to be apprehended.

The young campaign worker sustained a bruise to his thigh and reported that his mobile phone was damaged during the altercation. His colleague, a 30-year-old fellow campaigner, was unharmed in the incident. The attack has raised concerns about the safety of political activists amid a charged atmosphere surrounding recent protests in the city.

Tim Gräfe, the Vice Chair of the Junge Union in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, took to social media platform X to share details about the incident. The victim expressed that he was still in shock from the attack later that evening, highlighting the emotional toll such violence can take on individuals involved in political work.

The incident has sparked reactions from various political figures, including Hildegard Bentele, a CDU Member of the European Parliament, who emphasized the importance of solidarity among party members in challenging times.

Jan-Marco Luczak, the CDU district chairman for Tempelhof-Schöneberg and a Bundestag member, also commented on the situation, suggesting that the attack is symptomatic of a broader societal issue. He linked the incident to recent protests, where slogans directed against the CDU were prominently displayed, indicating a growing hostility towards the party.

Luczak criticized the atmosphere of animosity, stating that public demonstrations promoting hatred against political parties contribute to a culture of violence and intimidation. He noted that many volunteers feel increasingly anxious about participating in public campaigning due to fears of harassment and threats.

The protests in question saw approximately 160,000 participants rallying against potential collaborations between the CDU and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), organized by the citizen movement 'Campact.'

This incident underscores the challenges faced by political parties and their members as they navigate a polarized and often hostile political landscape. The CDU has called for greater awareness and support for those who engage in political activism, emphasizing the need for a respectful dialogue and the protection of democratic values.


More Quick Read Articles »
Engineering Jobs