A newly elected German mayor is in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in a brutal attack outside her apartment, just days after taking office.
Iris Stalzer, 57, was allegedly knifed 13 times in the stomach and back by several men in North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday evening. The Social Democrat politician was discovered seriously wounded inside her flat by her son, who rushed to her aid after the assault.
According to reports from German media outlets Bild and OVB, the mayor managed to tell her son she had been attacked on the street before staggering back to her apartment. Emergency medical teams are now fighting to save her life as she remains in a critical condition.
The motive behind the vicious assault remains unknown, with police unable to confirm whether the attack was politically motivated or related to other circumstances. Authorities have launched a major operation to track down the perpetrators, issuing a large-scale alert across the region.
A homicide squad is expected to take over the investigation, according to local media reports. Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry as they work to identify and apprehend the attackers who fled the scene.
Stalzer had only recently assumed her role as mayor following a runoff election on September 28, making her tenure in office extremely brief before the attack occurred. She represents a town in the Ruhr region, one of Germany’s most densely populated industrial areas.
The shocking assault on the newly installed mayor has raised urgent questions about the safety of elected officials in Germany. Politicians across the country have expressed alarm at the attack, particularly given its severity and the fact that multiple assailants were allegedly involved.
Back in Germany, investigators are working to establish whether Stalzer had received any threats prior to the attack or if there were warning signs that might have prevented the assault. The involvement of multiple attackers suggests a planned and coordinated operation rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
Local politicians in North Rhine-Westphalia have called for enhanced security measures for mayors and other elected officials following the attack. Many smaller towns and cities in Germany provide minimal protection for their leaders, who often live among constituents with little or no security detail.
The fact that Stalzer was attacked so soon after taking office has fuelled speculation about possible motives. Police have not ruled out any possibilities as they continue their investigation, including examining whether the assault was connected to her election victory or her political affiliations.
German authorities are appealing to the public for any information that might help identify the suspects. Witnesses who may have seen the attack or noticed suspicious activity in the area are being urged to come forward immediately.
The mayor’s son, who discovered his mother gravely injured, is receiving support as police continue their inquiries. The trauma of finding a family member in such a condition has added a deeply personal dimension to what is already a shocking crime.
As emergency doctors battle to save Stalzer’s life, the German political establishment has united in condemning the violence. Politicians from across the spectrum have expressed solidarity with the mayor and her family whilst calling for swift justice.
The investigation continues as a matter of urgency, with a large police presence maintained in the area where the attack occurred. Forensic teams are examining the crime scene for evidence that might lead to the identification and capture of those responsible.
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