A violent attack on a trade union demonstration in Munich on Thursday has thrown Germany’s already tense election campaign into turmoil. The suspect, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, drove a white minivan into a crowd of demonstrators, injuring at least 28 people, some critically. The incident has reignited fierce debates over migration policy just weeks before the country heads to the polls on February 23.
The suspect, who was known to authorities, was detained at the scene. While his motive remains unclear, the case is being investigated by Bavaria’s counterterrorism unit.
The attack has intensified pressure on political leaders, with migration now dominating campaign discussions. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor, vowed swift action.
“We will consistently enforce law and order. Everyone must feel safe in our country again. Something has to change in Germany,” Merz posted on X (formerly Twitter).
His coalition partner in Bavaria, Christian Social Union (CSU) Premier Markus Söder, took an even firmer stance, calling the incident a likely “terrorist attack” and pushing for tougher security measures.
“Germany cannot keep moving from one attack to another without action,” Söder said.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has been surging in polls amid growing discontent over migration, quickly blamed the government’s asylum policies. AfD leader Alice Weidel posted on X:
“Is this supposed to go on forever? Migration turnaround now!”
The party’s official account accused the government of failing to deport dangerous asylum seekers, referencing previous attacks involving foreign nationals.
In an attempt to counter the AfD’s tough stance, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) took a hardline approach.
“He cannot hope for any kind of leniency … He must be punished, and he must leave the country,” Scholz declared at a campaign event in Fürth, Bavaria.
Robert Habeck, the chancellor candidate from the Greens, struck a more cautious note, urging the public to wait for the full investigation before jumping to conclusions.
“It is crucial that we quickly clarify the background of this horrific act,” Habeck wrote on X.
The Munich attack follows several high-profile incidents involving foreign nationals, further fueling the debate over immigration and security.
January 2025: A 28-year-old Afghan man attacked a school group in Aschaffenburg, killing a two-year-old child and an adult.
December 2024: A Saudi citizen drove a truck into a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five and injuring 200.
These attacks have heightened public fears and led to increased calls for policy changes.
With just ten days until the national election, the incident has the potential to reshape the campaign. The CDU, which has been leading in the polls, is expected to double down on its promises of stricter immigration laws.
The AfD, already seeing record support, could capitalize on the anger and frustration many voters feel. Recent polling has shown the party gaining traction, particularly in eastern Germany.
Meanwhile, the SPD and Greens, struggling to maintain support, are caught between condemning the attack and resisting calls for drastic policy shifts.
The attack also raises concerns about security just days before the Munich Security Conference, a major international event attended by top global leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and German Chancellor Scholz. While authorities state there is no direct link to the conference, security measures are under review.
Germany now finds itself at a crossroads, with migration and security dominating the national conversation. As the country prepares to vote, the attack in Munich may prove to be the defining moment of the election.
