Saxony-Anhalt: State election official warns of violence in campaign

Saxony-Anhalt's state election official, Christa Dieckmann, has expressed concern over the escalating number of damaged and destroyed campaign posters belonging to various political parties. She emphasized that fair campaigning requires refraining from arbitrary interference, specifically condemning the damaging, destruction, or theft of election posters.

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A fair campaign requires refraining from arbitrary interference and not damaging, destroying, or stealing election posters.

Dieckmann stated that attacks on individuals involved in political engagement or campaigning are as unacceptable as assaults on campaign advertisements or party property. She stressed that political discourse should be based on substantive arguments, asserting that there is no place for vandalism, intimidation, threats, or physical violence in a democratic election campaign. She urged all citizens to support a respectful and fair electoral process.

Political parties have reported numerous instances of vandalism. While specific numbers are often difficult to quantify and can change rapidly, parties like Die Linke report receiving daily notifications of torn or damaged posters from various parts of the state. The CDU's state managing director, Mario Zeising, noted that their poster installers and volunteers are experiencing verbal abuse. He observed that the overall level of destruction and criminal energy appears higher than in previous elections.

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Attacks on people who are politically engaged or involved in the election campaign are just as unacceptable as attacks on election advertising or other property of parties.

The SPD shares a similar assessment of the situation. Beyond theft and property damage, posters are sometimes defaced with symbols of unconstitutional organizations and political messages. A spokesperson for the SPD highlighted a concerning trend where entire sections of campaign advertising, not just individual posters, have systematically disappeared in certain areas, affecting entire streets or locations in some communities.

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There is no place for vandalism, intimidation, threats, or physical violence in a democratic election campaign.