Grief and anger in Magdeburg: After the attack, the pressure on migrants grows

Grief and anger in Magdeburg: After the attack, the pressure on migrants grows

Grief and Anger in Magdeburg: A fatal attack shakes the city and sparks a debate about migration.

Magdeburg, the city, which is known for its festive Christmas market mood, became the scene of a terrible crime on Friday evening. A man raced into a crowd with his car and left a trace of destruction: a nine -year -old boy and four women lost their lives while about 200 other people were injured. The city is in deep grief and people are in shock.

The alleged perpetrator, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist Saudi Arabian origin, has lived in Germany since 2006 and now sees serious accusations: murder and attempted murder. The political reactions to this shocking incident are diverse. While the grief for the victims is great, right -wing extremist groups take the opportunity to mobilize against migration.

political reactions and funeral celebrations

The political landscape is divided. Robert Habeck, the chairman of the Greens, expressed his sympathy and wished the city "consolation, strength and confidence". Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the incident as a "terrible and insane" act. Nicole Anger, a member of the left, describes the atmosphere in Magdeburg as still and affected. "There are candlesticks and many moments of solidarity," she reports.

While the city is together, it is boiling under the surface. On Saturday, over 2,000 supporters of the extreme right gathered to protest against migration. The mood is reminiscent of the Ascension Riots of the 90s when a man was persecuted and killed. "At the moment, children and people with a migration background are afraid to take to the streets," she warns.

The role of the extreme rights

The AfD, the right -wing extremist alternative for Germany, sees itself strengthened by the attack. After success in the state elections, the party has gained influence. Elon Musk, the US billionaire, caused excitement shortly before the attack when he wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Only the AfD can save Germany." Observers warn that the discussion about migration could distract from the actual problems that the voters employ.

The perpetrators' motifs remain unclear. Al-Abdulmohsen, which presents itself as an ex-Muslim on social media, has an aversion to Islam and sympathized with right-wing ideologies. Saudi Arabia had already warned Germany to the doctor in November 2023, but the authorities did not classify him as a threat. "The extreme rights in Europe and North America are so normalized that enormous challenges arise," says Tahir Abbas, professor of Islamophobia and political violence.

The reactions to the attack show how quickly the political debate can shift. Jorinde Schulz, activist of the left, criticizes that extreme rights can mobilize almost unhindered. "For her, this attack is a springboard to gain more support," she warns. A man was arrested in Bremerhaven who threatened violence against people of Arab origin - another sign of the tense situation.