Germany — The quiet German town of Herdecke has been shaken by a violent attack on its newly elected mayor, Iris Stalter, who was found seriously injured near her home on Monday evening. Police confirmed that the 57-year-old politician was stabbed and rushed to hospital by helicopter.
Investigators say the attack does not appear to be politically motivated and may be linked to a personal or family dispute. “All possible angles are being examined, and no scenario has been ruled out,” police said in a statement.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a “heinous act of violence.” He wished Stalter a swift recovery, adding that such attacks “have no place in our society.” Stalter, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), was elected mayor on September 28 and was due to take office in November.
Attacks against public officials have been on the rise in Germany in recent years. In 2019, local official Walter Lübcke, known for his support of refugee-friendly policies, was shot dead by a neo-Nazi extremist — a killing that shocked the country and sparked a national debate about political violence.
The Herdecke city administration said the community was “deeply shocked” by the attack. “Our thoughts are with Mayor Stalter, and we wish her a full and speedy recovery,” it said in a statement.
