German politician Franziska Giffey attacked amid a spate of violence

May 8 (UPI) – Berlin Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey was attacked in a Berlin library on Tuesday, making her the latest victim in a wave of incidents against politicians.

Giffey, a member of the Social Democratic Party, was attacked from behind by a man and hit her on the head and neck “with a bag with hard contents”.

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According to a police report, Giffey was taken to a local hospital for a headache and back pain and was later released. The suspect walked away after the attack.

Giffey said on X that she was having a conversation with a library director when she “suddenly felt a hard blow from behind on my head and neck.”

“A man had attacked me with a bag full of hard contents,” she said.

Giffey added that she “never thought” she would be attacked in the library.

German Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the incident, saying such confrontations were “an attack on democracy.”

“We will resist all forms of violence, hatred and incitement and protect our democracy,” said Wegner. “We will discuss consequences in the Senate, including tougher penalties for attacks on politicians.”

Last Friday, 41-year-old Matthias Ecke was hospitalized in Dresden and required surgery after he was attacked by four people while hanging posters for his European election campaign. A Green Party campaign worker, as he was recently beaten in Dresden.

The politician Yvonne Mosler was being interviewed by a television crew when she was spat at.