The Saxon police want to work closely with the parties to ensure the safety of campaigners and election workers in the state. This was announced by Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting in Dresden. The security authorities have been involved in the election campaign for six months. It had long been assumed that this would be different from previous election campaigns. This had already been proven after just a few weeks. In addition to the European elections, local elections will also be held in Saxony on June 9, with state elections scheduled for September 1.
According to Schuster, the police are preparing for both spontaneous and planned attacks. Last Friday, politicians from the Greens and the SPD were attacked in Dresden. SPD MEP Matthias Ecke was seriously injured and had to be operated on in hospital.
Schuster suggested that the federal government draw up a joint situation report on these incidents, as they happen all over Germany. This would also make it possible to identify whether such activities are networked. "We want to get even closer to the election workers," said Schuster. You can't play "man coverage", but you can play "sensible spatial coverage". The parties would have to navigate the police. They are hoping for targeted information from the parties and especially from their state offices on where and when campaigners are out and about so that police patrols can be sent to these areas.
According to Sonja Penzel, President of the Saxony State Criminal Police Office, the LKA drew up situation reports early on and set up an information collection point. All information relating to elections would be received there. The parties also received information on the structural and technical protection of campaign offices. The aim is also to develop an awareness of the dangers among those affected so that they can protect themselves. A new guide on this will soon be available for elected representatives.
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