Overview

• Jutta Steinruck reported a flood of hate mails and threats following the election committee’s majority decision to exclude AfD politician Joachim Paul from the September mayoral ballot.
• Police are investigating reports forwarded to law enforcement, noting many messages are insults, some include threats, and current assessments show no specific danger to those targeted.
• Authorities said protective measures are in place, including ongoing risk analyses by the state criminal police office.
• Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer called the harassment “simply terrible” and said a line had been crossed, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic norms.
• CDU state leader Gordon Schnieder urged tougher steps against online hate, including considering a real-name requirement on social media, while Steinruck reported significant public solidarity.