Hundreds of Election-Related Crimes Reported Across Germany Ahead of Bundestag Vote

Authorities document widespread vandalism of campaign materials and threats against political figures, with CDU, Greens, and AfD among the most targeted parties.

• Police in North Rhine-Westphalia recorded 650 election-related crimes, including 511 cases of vandalism, four assaults, and several threats and insults, as of February 19, 2025.
• Campaign posters for the Greens were the most frequently targeted in NRW, followed by those of the CDU, SPD, and AfD, with CDU offices and members also facing significant attacks.
• In Hessen, authorities documented 391 crimes against campaign posters between late November and February 19, with a spike following a controversial Bundestag vote on migration policies supported by the AfD.
• The AfD was the most frequently targeted party for poster vandalism in certain regions, while CDU posters and offices also faced significant damage and threats, prompting increased police patrols near some party headquarters.
• Interior Ministers from both NRW and Hessen condemned the violence and called for a return to peaceful political discourse, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democratic debate.

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