Left-wing extremists attempted to assassinate AfD state parliament member Michael Meister in the city of Rostock on a parking area in front of his private residence during the night leading into Thursday. Speaking to Junge Freiheit, Meister said the attackers used a “sharp object” to stub him in the back. The state security service of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is now investigating.

Meister told the newspaper that there were two attackers. He first felt a “pressure in his back.” Apparently, one of the attackers tried to stab him in the back, but a laptop in his backpack absorbed the blow. The politician fought back and further sustained a “cut on his left arm,” a kick to his leg, and “at least one punch to the face.”

Meister was taken to an outpatient clinic after the attack and was discharged the same day, according to a spokesperson for the Rostock police cited by JF.

AfD member repeatedly targeted in attacks

Enrico Schult, state and parliamentary group leader of the AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, strongly condemned the attack on his party colleague and also attributed partial blame to SPD parliamentary group leader Julian Barlen. He claimed Barlen had recently called the AfD “fascists,” thereby setting a “deliberate marking of enemies.” According to Schult, this creates “an environment in which violent extremists feel encouraged.”

Meister has not been targeted for the first time by left-wing extremists but it is the first time they attempted to stab him. In December 2021, the 51-year-old was attacked from behind by two individuals, with chants such as “You AfD Nazi pig” allegedly shouted. Meister, a former police officer, defended himself with a “targeted punch” and drove the attackers away, JF reported.

In November 2022, unknown individuals slashed the politician’s car tires—already the third such incident within 13 months.

So far, and as it the pattern in left-wing attacks, none of the cases have led to arrests or convictions.