German politicians reacted with shock on Friday after opposition leader Friedrich Merz opened the door to cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on migration reform after an Afghan man was held in connection with a deadly knife attack. German mainstream parties have previously gone to great lengths to avoid passing legislation while relying on votes from the far-right party, a stance known as the "firewall." However, Merz said in Berlin that his conservative parliamentary g
The suspect is mentally ill and likely acted the way he did because of that.
But of course this is being used as a xenophobic flashpoint to move people further right.
From the moment I read about the attack it felt a bit false flag-ish. Even German state media reported first on the suspect’s migrant background and only after mentioned his health issues. They also referred to him as “the Afghan” and not “the suspect” as is typically done in criminal cases.
The suspect is mentally ill and likely acted the way he did because of that.
But of course this is being used as a xenophobic flashpoint to move people further right.
From the moment I read about the attack it felt a bit false flag-ish. Even German state media reported first on the suspect’s migrant background and only after mentioned his health issues. They also referred to him as “the Afghan” and not “the suspect” as is typically done in criminal cases.