The tragic events that unfolded in Magdeburg on Friday evening have shaken the city to its core. A man deliberately drove an SUV into the bustling Christmas market, killing five people and injuring over 200. As the community comes to terms with this horrific attack, the far-right political party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), has wasted no time in attempting to politicise the tragedy. This cynical exploitation of grief and fear is a chilling reminder of how far-right movements often seize on moments of crisis to further their own agenda.
Magdeburg, like many other German cities, holds its Christmas markets dear. These markets are not just seasonal events; they are a vibrant part of the city’s social fabric. The attack, which targeted such a beloved gathering spot, has left residents reeling. Yet, even as Mayor Simone Borris wept during her emotional Friday night press conference, members of the AfD immediately shifted the narrative, using the tragedy to advance their anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric.
Once the nationality of the suspected attacker, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, was revealed, the far-right party quickly jumped to conclusions. They framed the attack as yet another consequence of the 2015 migrant crisis, the year when Germany opened its doors to over a million refugees. AfD politicians made it clear they believed the incident could have been avoided had there been stricter immigration controls, with one party official even suggesting that such attacks “would not have happened before 2015.”
However, as more details about the attacker emerged, the narrative began to blur. Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi national, arrived in Germany in 2006 and was granted political asylum. According to reports, he had a history of posting extremist content online, including support for the AfD’s anti-Islam and anti-migrant stance. Yet, some within the AfD have rejected this line of reasoning, accusing others of trying to “morally abuse” the tragedy to undermine their party. This is the troubling dynamic that plays out in the wake of such events, where politics take precedence over the lives lost and the community’s pain.
Despite the complexity surrounding the suspect’s background, the AfD has already begun to mobilise in the city. The party’s representatives, including MEP Arno Bausemer, laid wreaths at St John’s church in an attempt to project an image of solidarity. But in the same breath, Bausemer called for “remigration”—a far-right concept aimed at forcibly removing migrants from Germany. This idea, which has long been a cornerstone of the AfD’s platform, was only the beginning of their post-attack manoeuvres. A rally and silent march were announced for Monday evening, a familiar sight in a city that has seen far-right demonstrations for years.
For nearly a decade, I have witnessed the AfD’s gradual rise in my hometown. The party’s rallies have drawn large crowds, often numbering in the thousands, and their message has only become more radical over time. From “peace rallies” protesting Germany’s support for Ukraine, to mass demonstrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AfD has cultivated an identity as the voice of dissent in Magdeburg and beyond. The party’s ability to tap into local frustrations—particularly among working-class communities—has allowed it to gain significant traction in the region.
This persistent offline presence has allowed the AfD to build a loyal base, particularly in former East Germany, where many citizens remain sceptical of the authorities and the media. The party has managed to tap into a sense of cultural and political alienation, capitalising on lingering distrust towards the establishment. In Magdeburg, this dynamic has only intensified, as the far-right continues to capitalise on events that stir public anger and fear.
The Magdeburg Christmas market attack is only the latest in a series of incidents that the AfD has used to further its divisive agenda. In the past, similar attacks in other cities, such as the stabbings in Mannheim and Solingen, have provided the party with an opportunity to push its anti-immigrant narrative. With national elections approaching in February, AfD leader Alice Weidel has already begun to reframe the incident in a way that will galvanise her supporters. She has chosen to focus not on the attacker’s background, but on what she sees as the failure of the authorities to prevent such an event.
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Yet, even as the AfD seeks to use this tragedy to further its political ends, Magdeburg’s residents are finding other ways to mourn. On Saturday evening, a large crowd gathered at the gothic cathedral for a solemn commemoration service. Friedrich Kramer, the bishop of the Evangelical Church, addressed the gathering with a powerful message: “Don’t open your heart to hate speech and violence, but keep it generous.”
But the AfD’s actions continue to sow division. Just a few blocks away from where the bishop spoke, a demonstration organised by neo-Nazi groups attracted hundreds of supporters. At the same time, migrant organisations have reported a surge in threats and verbal abuse directed at people presumed to be Arabs or Muslims. The atmosphere in Magdeburg is now charged with tension, as the AfD manipulates grief for its own purposes.
I have watched this process unfold for years, and it is clear that the AfD will continue to exploit tragedies for political gain. The party’s presence in Magdeburg has transformed the city into a battleground for their far-right ideology, and Friday’s horrific attack will only serve to further fuel their radical agenda. As Magdeburg mourns, it is crucial that we resist the temptation to be manipulated by the forces of hate. We must remember the victims, support those affected, and ensure that the tragedy does not become another tool for the far-right to spread division and fear.
