On Saturday afternoon, Marie Kollenrott, a member of the Göttingen state parliament for the Alliance 90/The Greens party, was attacked by a man during an election campaign event in the busy pedestrian zone near the Old Town Hall. The incident left her with minor injuries to her arms.
Kollenrott stated that she was in shock following the incident, which occurred after a brief political discussion with the suspect at the campaign stand. According to police reports, the man had made derogatory comments about the party before attacking her. However, several bystanders intervened and helped prevent further harm. Kollenrott and a witness followed the suspect and alerted the police.
Fortunately, the police were able to quickly catch the suspect near the crime scene. The 66-year-old man from Göttingen was released after his identity was established, but further investigations by the State Security Commission are ongoing, including for bodily harm. Kollenrott has been serving in the state parliament since 2021 and is a member of the Committee on Environment, Energy, Construction, and Climate Protection. She has expressed gratitude to those who intervened in her behalf and urged others to be cautious while carrying out their duties as politicians.
The attack serves as a reminder of the risks that politicians may face while carrying out their duties. It is important for individuals to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions when engaging in political activities or events in public places.
