Roderich Kiesewetter, a conservative parliamentarian, was assaulted at a campaign event in southwest Germany. The attacker is thought to be a member of a far-right party with ties to the anti-vaxxer movement.

Kiesewetter, who sustained minor injuries during the altercation, offered to forego pressing charges if the perpetrator apologized.

Local media outlets reported that the attacker is a candidate for the Aalen city council and a member of a far-right party thought to have ties to the anti-vaxxer “Querdenker” movement.

Numerous politicians from the Social Democratic Party, Greens and Free Democrats released statements of solidarity with their CDU colleague and a cross-party vigil against political violence has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser took to the social media platform X to wish Kiesewetter well while condemning violence, which she said is “never acceptable” in our democracy “and must be swiftly and severely punished.”

Source: DW news