Suspect arrested after attack on Berlin senator – Europe live | Germany

Lisa O’Carroll

Sources in the European People’s Party have spoken out about a letter from European political groups denouncing the far right as a politically motivated “shit” Brussels bubble campaign.

The center-right group sees the letter, signed by the Liberal, Green and Socialist factions, as an attempt to divide the democratic parties at exactly the time when they should unite to defeat the far right.

The letter was not signed by the EPP after a dispute over a paragraph mentioning the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

It is believed that in the letter, in addition to “extreme right”, they also wanted to include a condemnation of the “extreme left” and delete a line that called on von der Leyen to “strongly reject any normalization, cooperation or alliance with the. “Right-wing extremist and radical parties”.

The inclusion of that statement implied that she had not already done so and was in effect a “false accusation,” sources said.

A 74-year-old was then arrested in Germany Franziska Giffeya Berlin senator and former mayor, was injured when a man hit her from behind with a heavy object in a local library.

Citing police, Reuters reported that the suspect was previously known to law enforcement for hate crimes and unspecified incidents against state security and was also believed to suffer from mental health problems.

Dispute over letter condemning right-wing extremists

Lisa O’Carroll

A row has broken out among political parties in Europe after the centre-right group joined the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Heard refused to sign a letter condemning the far right and a series of recent attacks on politicians in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Sweden and Ireland.

The letter calls on von der Leyen to “reject any normalization, cooperation or alliance with far-right and radical parties” and condemns a physical attack on a German center-left politician Matthias Corner He was “severely injured” after he was allegedly attacked by four young men while putting up campaign posters.

Another attack on a German Green MP is also cited Kai Gehring and a local Essen politician who was punched in the face, and the targeted attacks on the homes of politicians in Belgium and party headquarters in Spain.

The open letter was signed by five of the main political parties in the European Parliament.

But the largest group representing conservative parties refused.

French MEP Valerie HayerChairman of the centrist group Renew Europe, which is supported by Emmanuel MacronShe said she very much regrets “that the EPP did not sign the declaration.” This calls into question their commitment to the common fight against destructive, right-wing extremist forces. We urge the EPP to reconsider and join this pro-European commitment.”

The EPP leader, Manfred Webersaid: “Our principles are clear: we only cooperate with parties that are pro-European, pro-Ukrainian and pro-rule of law.”

Franziska GiffeyA Berlin senator and former mayor was injured when a man hit her from behind with a heavy object in a local library, police said today, Reuters reported.

Giffey, economics minister and SPD MP, was hit on the head and neck with a bag containing something hard, the police statement said. Giffey had to go to the hospital for a short time.

The attack comes as concern grows in Germany over a spate of attacks on politicians.

Four German teenagers are being investigated for a violent attack Matthias Cornera Social Democrat MEP, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Ecke was kicked and knocked to the ground on Friday evening as he hung posters for the SPD in the eastern city of Dresden.

Good morning and welcome back to the Europa blog.

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