The suspect involved in the recent stabbing attack has been identified as a 28-year-old Afghan man who arrived in Germany in late 2022 and applied for asylum, according to Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Hermann. Authorities revealed that the individual had previously received treatment in a psychiatric facility, leading to suspicions that mental illness played a role in the violent incident.
The suspect had reportedly informed authorities of his intent to leave Germany by December 2024 but remained in the country. Officials stated there is currently no evidence to suggest a political motive behind the attack.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has demanded a thorough investigation into the case, criticizing the continued presence of the suspect in Germany. “Authorities must urgently clarify why this attacker was still here, and immediate consequences are necessary,” Scholz said.
The attack, which targeted a group of preschool children, resulted in the tragic deaths of two victims, including a two-year-old boy. The incident has deeply shocked the German public, as it comes during a heated political climate where migration has become a central issue ahead of the February 23 election.
Amid mounting criticism of his migration policies, Scholz’s remarks reflect growing pressure from political rivals. Alice Weidel, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) chancellor candidate, quickly seized on the incident to push her party’s anti-migration stance. “Remigration now!” she wrote on the social media platform X, using a far-right term advocating for mass deportations. The AfD has consistently linked crime to migration and positioned itself as a hardline alternative to traditional parties on public safety.
The push for stricter migration policies isn’t limited to the AfD. Friedrich Merz, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) chancellor candidate, has also committed to reducing migration and bolstering security. As February’s election looms, the CDU currently leads in the polls with 30 percent, followed by the AfD at 21 percent, reflecting a shifting political landscape fueled by voter frustration over migration and safety concerns.
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