Polarization in Germany: The political fallout of Magdeburg attack
German commentators warn against using the attack in Magdeburg in the election campaign. They highlight the atypical profile of the attacker, known as an anti-Islamist.
On Friday evening, a passenger car driven by a Saudi Arabian, Taleb Abdul Jawad, who has been living in Germany since 2006, sped into a crowd at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, eastern Germany. The attack killed 5 people, and 200 were injured. Has Germany lost control over immigration? - this question arises in the media.
"Der Spiegel" calls for restraint. "The shocking act in Magdeburg will change the election campaign. The extreme right is already trying to exploit the situation. Parties from the democratic centre should remain calm,” writes Maria Fiedler in the online edition of "Der Spiegel". The commentator emphasizes that security and migration issues will become key topics.
AfD politicians and the extreme right have no inhibitions in commenting on the events. An AfD MP from Brandenburg wrote that "the problem is the immigration of millions of people, and the solution is their re-migration." Re-migration is deemed "a racist election promise" by the AfD, according to "Spiegel". The extreme right fuels fear of people with immigrant backgrounds.
"Extremists are trying to gain capital from this situation. Their commodity is fear,” we read. It is crucial for parties in the democratic centre to stay composed and not incite populist sentiments.
Has the state lost control?
"Berliner Zeitung" argues that the state has lost control over immigration. "The perpetrator does not fit any pattern. For some, he is an Arab terrorist; for others, a right-wing extremist. But does it matter? Clearly, we have lost control of the situation,” writes Moritz Eichhorn. While terrorist attacks cannot destroy the country, the inability to address them effectively can, the commentator believes.
"Handelsblatt" questions what democracy can do against deadly mania. "The attack in Magdeburg was not carried out by an Islamist - it represents another equally dangerous trend," writes Moritz Koch.
Much suggests that the perpetrator is mentally ill. Online posts indicate he wanted revenge on his new homeland because he was convinced that Germany seeks to Islamize Europe.
"The attack took place during the election campaign and will influence its course. The political centre will face increased pressure - the author predicts - The greater the uncertainty, the higher the chances for forces that harness fear. The AfD enjoys support reaching 20%. Much suggests this upward trend will continue," we read in the German business circles' newspaper. Even a vigilant state cannot promise absolute protection, the commentator adds.
The conclusion from the event in Magdeburg is that polarization kills. Preventing polarization is a task not only for the state but also for online platforms. "Crazy conspiracy theories can quickly become a bloody reality," warns "Handelsblatt" in conclusion.
Has Germany lost control over migration?
"Berliner Zeitung": the state has lost control over immigration. "The perpetrator does not fit any pattern. For some, he is an Arab terrorist; for others, a right-wing extremist. But does it matter? Clearly, we have lost control of the situation" – writes Moritz Eichhorn.
The attack in Magdeburg achieved all the goals that terrorism sets for itself – it intimidates residents, sows confusion, pits social groups against each other, and cannot be countered with a single effective response. "Terrorist attacks cannot destroy any country, but helplessness in dealing with them certainly can," the commentator believes. The cause must be identified and effectively addressed. However, in the case of a contradictory perpetrator, this is challenging, allowing politicians to remain inactive.
