Magdeburg remains shrouded in grief and shock following the devastating car attack at its bustling Christmas market, which claimed the lives of five people and left over 200 injured. For many residents, such as Eidwicht, the pain is personal. “I feel bad, I still do,” she shared, standing near the scene. “My granddaughter was here. I rang her because my daughter told me something had happened, and she didn’t answer for two hours.” The incident has left an indelible scar on the city and a nation already grappling with complex issues of security and immigration.
The suspect, Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi refugee, is an unusual figure for such an attack. Unlike previous incidents often linked to Islamist extremists, Al-Abdulmohsen had publicly criticised Islam and expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. On social media, he lauded the AfD for “fighting the same enemy” as him in “protecting Germany.” His motives remain unclear, adding layers of complexity to an already polarised debate.
Political exploitation of tragedy
The AfD, currently experiencing a surge in opinion polls ahead of the federal elections on 23 February, has seized on the attack to amplify its anti-immigration rhetoric. Speaking at a rally in Magdeburg, co-leader Alice Weidel called for policy changes, declaring, “so we can finally live once again in security.” Her remarks were met with chants of “deport them” from the crowd.
The party has doubled down on linking the incident to Germany’s immigration policies. Martin Reichardt, AfD’s leader in Saxony-Anhalt, described the attack as evidence of “political and religious fanaticism that has its origins in another world.” Meanwhile, Weidel took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that “Magdeburg would not have been possible without uncontrolled immigration,” urging a more restrictive migration policy and consistent deportations.
However, anti-racism groups have accused the AfD of exploiting the tragedy to further their political agenda. A counter-demonstration in Magdeburg sought to promote solidarity and reject scapegoating. David Begrich from Miteinander e.V. expressed concern for migrant communities. “We don’t want [scapegoating]. We want to organise solidarity across society but remain sensitive to those now reacting with fear and uncertainty,” he said.
A nation reflects
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed the nation in a plea for unity. “A dark shadow hangs over this Christmas,” he said. “Hatred and violence must not have the final word. Let’s not allow ourselves to be driven apart. Let’s stand together!”
Amidst calls for calm, questions over security failings have dominated public discourse. Al-Abdulmohsen had reportedly been investigated multiple times in recent years, but assessments deemed him “too unspecific” a threat. A September 2023 tip-off against him appears to have been overlooked, and the attacker exploited a gap left open for emergency access, which should have been secured by a police vehicle.
More Read
These lapses have drawn scrutiny from both citizens and officials. Many are demanding accountability for how the attack could occur despite heightened security at Christmas markets, especially given Germany’s history with similar incidents.
A city in morning
While the Christmas market has reopened for stallholders to clear out their wares, the atmosphere remains sombre. None of the vendors approached by the press felt ready to speak, the tragedy still raw. Compounding the tension, journalists covering the aftermath have faced hostility, particularly after a far-right protest in Magdeburg on Saturday night drew approximately 2,000 participants.
The Association of German Journalists has reported threats and aggression against the press, appealing for increased police protection. The situation underscores the deep divides in German society, where fear, anger, and political opportunism threaten to overshadow calls for unity.
The path ahead
As Germany reels from the attack, it faces tough questions about balancing security, migration, and social cohesion. The far-right AfD continues to capitalise on the incident, likely to make immigration and security central themes of the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, communities and leaders like President Steinmeier urge solidarity to prevent hatred and division from taking root.
Magdeburg’s tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the challenges confronting Germany, where political and social tensions risk overshadowing a collective path forward.
