AfD Seeks Election Gains After Berlin Pride Attack Kills 1 and Injures 29
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28
AfD Seeks Election Gains After Berlin Pride Attack Kills 1 and Injures 29
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 28
Summary
Berlin’s AfD moved quickly after the Pride attack, issuing a statement centered on “violent Islamists” rather than the assault on an L.G.B.T.Q. event.
Analysts say that framing could help the far-right party in fall local elections in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where AfD is already leading in some polls.
The political opening is complicated by the target: AfD opposes Pride flags on public buildings, and researchers say many in Germany’s gay community already fear rising anti-queer violence from far-right perpetrators.
The attack killed 1 woman and injured 29 people; authorities said the suspect had previously tried to join Islamic State, intensifying Germany’s wider debate over extremism and public safety.