German prosecutors have charged two men with aggravated assault over the attack of an Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) councillor, including one suspect identified by German media as a local Social Democratic Party (SPD) politician. The case and the filed charges reflect increasing political violence against right-wing politicians.
The charges stem from an incident in a pub near Cologne in December 2024, during which AfD councillor Norbert Raatz was allegedly attacked by two men, one of whom German media reports have identified as SPD politician Lukas Gottschalk. The attack was captured by a surveillance camera inside the bar where it took place.
Footage of the incident later released by Raatz shows Gottschalk pushing, kicking, and striking the councillor, who subsequently fell to the ground. Raatz said he suffered bruising and a mild concussion as a result of the incident.
Gottschalk has maintained that the footage shows only part of the incident. He claimed he had been subjected to verbal abuse before the altercation, including racist remarks and insults directed at his fiancée. Following the incident, he expressed regret for losing his composure and later resigned as SPD group leader, relinquishing his seats on both the local and district councils.
The case comes amid growing concern over left-wing political violence targeting members of the AfD, which is currently leading the polls in Germany.
Earlier this month, AfD state parliament member Michael Meister was attacked outside his home in Rostock in what police are investigating as a politically motivated assault. Meister said he was struck from behind and believed one of the attackers attempted to stab him, although a laptop in his backpack reportedly prevented more serious injury.
Official figures published by the German government indicate that violent attacks against politicians rose by 28% in 2025. Of the 183 recorded violent offences targeting elected representatives, 121 were directed against members of the AfD, making the party the most frequent target of such attacks.
At a time when the AfD is attracting growing support from voters, particularly because of its hard-line stance on migration and border security, the party finds itself not only increasingly isolated within Germany’s political establishment, but the political hostility towards it is now extending into acts of intimidation and violence.
