Left-wing politician attacked in public in north-eastern Germany

A politician from Germany’s The Left party said he was harassed, insulted and attacked at a public information stand in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on Thursday.

Michael Noetzel, the far-left party’s spokesman for internal affairs in the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, said he was attacked in the town of Güstrow by a man who was clearly a right-wing extremist.

The police confirmed the incident, saying the attacker fled the scene with three other people. They were quickly located with the help of image recordings, and questioned in the city area around midday.

The suspect is a 23-year-old local, who had previously come to the attention of the police. He told police he was under the influence of intoxicating substances.

The police said the man struck Noetzel in the ribs and kicked a cargo bike that was being used to display party information, to which the politician’s dachshund was tied.

While Noetzel reported pain and shortness of breath after the incident, medical treatment was not necessary.

The Left finished with 12% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in February’s national election, well behind the far-right Alternative for Germany on 35%.

“The brutalization of the social climate is not only evident in the electoral successes of extreme right-wing parties, but is also reflected in everyday violence,” Noetzel said.

“My team and I experienced this first-hand today at an information stand in Güstrow,” he added.

The criminal investigation department is investigating the case.