The case of Frank Magnitz shows how the political debate in Germany is polarized in Parts. Populists such as the AfD will benefit from this mood – although they are also affected.
Securing a crime scene after the attack on the AfD-politician Magnitz
Pictures can say more than words, is a wisdom of the ages. That is why they are used so many Times for political purposes. The a has also made, is now renowned throughout Germany, AfD politician to Use. After the still-unsolved attack on the chief of the AfD in Bremengab the victim, Frank Magnitz in an internal party circular known, he wanted to dramatize from the beginning, to create “attention” and “media affected”. Therefore, he, as German media reports sent, along with a press release, a photo of his bloody face. Left-wing extremists had been the perpetrators.
Frank Magnitz, country Manager of AfD in Bremen, is considered to be a representative of more radical thoughts in the AfD
The photo should be an icon
There is a surveillance video that shows three men Magnitz attacked from the rear. How exactly are the injuries that are visible on the photo, are created, there is still no final opinion. A report suggests that they come from the fall.
Within 24 hours, the message went around the Globe, moved Magnitz in the letter have a positive balance. The entire Nation was roused, and a discussion process was set in motion.
AfD relies on Social Media
The AfD is ready for this kind of campaigns. For the group in the German Bundestag, for example, there is a separate Social Media Department, which relies more on Social Videos with quick Statements on current events. A handful of employees in two small offices here, modern digital public Relations. Larger investments, it is not needed.
It just needs to go quickly. Since the party has on Facebook, Twitter and co. a large range can be achieved with little effort, a lot of a effectiveness of promising communication strategy.
In addition, the official party Accounts are linked with the Accounts of individual AfD-politician, which increases the range. There are many Followers and Fans waiting for the latest news. In addition to verbal outliers Social Media is part of the core business of the AfD.
Quick escalation in other media
In the Social media of the events to Magnitz made so quickly. A classic press release pointed to. The AfD said it was a “suicide attack” as a “result of incitement by politicians and the media,” against the party.
It was surprising that well-known Newspapers accepted the story as told by the AfD, even though the fact happened at the time was still part of the police investigation. Journalistic Standards warn in such cases, it is actually restraint.
Some of the AfD-politician was very aggressive: the Individual media were attacked because they held back. The press wool concealment, was the accusation.
There are now in the German media, a critical discussion about the course of media coverage.
“Disputes can easily lead to violence”
All of this would not have likely not be able to swing so high, if there is anyway a heated political mood in Germany. Some politicians want.
President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble, a stalwart of the Christian Democrats (CDU), handle in the Bundestag to the microphone and warned of a political instrumentalization of the Case Magnitz. The members should be moderate. They had a special responsibility in the political debate, “because a dispute can lead to violence”.
Violence, however, is outside of the Federal tags again part of the political debate.
Understanding of violence against politicians
In the Federal state of Saxony, the AfD stronghold in Eastern Germany, there was the beginning of the year, a series of attacks with explosives on the offices of the right-wing populists. This was a “new quality,” said Saxony’s Minister of the interior, Roland woeller of the CDU. The state will proceed with the utmost severity.
Since 2014, there have been 143 attacks against the AfD, the Saxon state office of criminal investigation – for example, the stone window, and the Overspray of advertising posters shots against. But also the left party was the victim of attacks, a total of 88 were counted.
A survey conducted by the opinion research Institute Insa on behalf of the right opinion medium “Tichy’s insight” showed that 7.7 percent of the respondents “understanding” for violence against AfD members. 4.7 percent showed understanding for violence against members of the left party.
Obviously, the political confrontation on the street has arrived and is being combined with the harsh means of the road. This is the case, Ragnitz shows.