Intimidation, the use of violence to create fear, is part of the AfD's repertoire. The attacks concern everyone who cares about democracy.

An election poster of the main candidate of the Saxon SPD for the European elections, Matthias Ecke, on Schandauer Strasse in Dresden. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa

With a perpetrator-victim reversal, the AfD responded to the brutal attack in Dresden against SPD MEP Matthias Ecke while hanging election posters. AfD Saxony head Jörg Urban wrote that he condemns such acts, “however, the SPD must ask itself to what extent its constant agitation against political dissidents contributes to such escalations.” The quote could also be read as a legitimization for further violence, with the half-hearted distancing that can be heard: “It's your fault, you're in the wrong party.”

Regardless of the largely unknown background to the attack, the reaction shows that the right wants violence and at least accepts it with benevolence. Their demagogy aims to create a climate of fear, a permanent state of indignation. Right-wing violence is directed against all those who do not fit into one's own worldview and aims to reduce dissent out of fear in places where far-right hegemony is established.

A new feature is the frequency, almost normality and everyday nature of attacks against electoral activists: on Thursday afternoon in Essen a local Green politician was attacked, the vice-president of the Green Bundestag Katrin Göring-Eckardt was harassed by about 50 people in Brandenburg on the same day Day, Reports of attacks on campaign workers are increasing. Already in February, an arson attack occurred in the private home of an SPD politician who was organizing demonstrations against the right.

It is no coincidence that the decade of the rise of the AfD and changes in right-wing discourse is accompanied by an escalation of daily right-wing violence, but also right-wing terror. Walter Lübcke's murderer ran at AfD rallies, an AfD member in the Bundestag is detained for plotting a coup, and the far-right attacker from Hanau apparently watched videos of Höcke's speeches at a Pegida la rally. eve of his crime.

Take a position!

AfD supporters display pitchforks at demonstrations, right-wing extremists visit homes during Monday's protests, including that of the CDU district administrator. Only cross-party solidarity can help against this tactic of selective intimidation. Campact will now donate €10,000 each to the affected local SPD and Green sectors for new election leaflets and posters and will ask others to do the same.

It would also be important for parties to consider how they can better protect their electoral activists, especially when right-wing hegemony needs to be pushed back. Why shouldn't local associations with many members help with posters and thus increase their numbers? Of course, it is also important to ask local civil society organizations what they need and how you can support them.

Because the attacks of the right concern everyone; even staying out is a political act. There is no need to put up signs to oppose it. Simply express your opinion and defend your political stance, especially in social settings such as the pub, the football club and family celebrations.