Interior Minister Calls for Peaceful Final Push in Election Campaign - Hesse's local elections shadowed by surging attacks on officials
Local elections in Hesse are set for March 15, but the campaign has been marred by a sharp rise in attacks on officials. New figures show incidents of verbal and physical abuse against elected representatives more than doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year.
A total of 994 cases were recorded last yearâthe highest number since the introduction of the political crime tracking system in 2019. Most involved insults, defamation, or slander, though ten were classified as violent offences.
Vandalism of campaign posters has also surged, exceeding levels seen during the 2025 federal election. In Frankfurt alone, 50 posters from a single party were recently destroyed or badly damaged. One particularly offensive incident took place in Königstein, where the town's mayor was depicted in a photo placed on tree stumps in the city centre, surrounded by grave candles. Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) condemned the act as disrespectful and degrading. Poseck has urged candidates and voters to maintain a fair and respectful tone in the final stretch of the campaign. He stressed that democracy relies on participation and peaceful debate, warning that threats and violence could deter people from entering politics.
The spike in incidents comes as Hesse prepares for local elections on March 15. Authorities have not released data on how many of the 994 recorded cases specifically targeted women in public office. Officials continue to monitor the situation ahead of polling day.
