Shock in Germany over a knife attack on the mayor-elect of Herdeke, Iris Stalcher, who is in critical condition after suffering multiple injuries in her home. The incident occurred at noon on Tuesday and has sparked strong reactions on a political and social level.

Iris Stalcher, 57, who had been elected mayor on 28 September and was due to take office on 1 November, was found bleeding to death in her home in Herdecke, North Rhine-Westphalia. Police said she suffered 13 stab wounds to her abdomen and back and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Bochum, where she is fighting for her life.

Doctors say Iris Stalcher remains in critical but stable condition, having undergone hours of surgery. The next 48 hours are considered crucial to her life.

The mayor was located by her son, who immediately alerted authorities. Initially, the son claimed that his mother had been attacked “by several men” in the street. However, police found no evidence to support this story

No signs of forced entry were found at the site either, leading investigators to consider the possibility that the attacker was part of her immediate family.

Her two stepchildren are in custody – Her 17-year-old daughter is identified as the main perpetrator

Authorities have taken Stalcher’s two foster children, aged 15 and 17, who were in the home at the time of the incident, into custody. Although no charges have been filed, police said they are investigating all possible motives, including personal or family disputes.

According to public broadcaster WDR and the website Focus Online, suspicion initially fell on the 15-year-old son, who was taken away in handcuffs to avoid losing evidence. According to neighbors’ testimonies, as reported by Bild, a heated argument between Stalcher and her son was heard before the emergency call.

Later, investigations and interviews led to the 17-year-old adopted daughter, who is now identified as the main perpetrator of the attack.

At the same time, there is a flashback to the family’s recent past, as the 17-year-old daughter was allegedly involved in a knife incident at a school a year ago. This evidence, while not officially confirmed, is being examined as a possible piece of the case puzzle.

Der Spiegel also revealed that a violent incident had already occurred at Stalzer’s home last summer: the same teenager allegedly attacked her mother with a knife, though without serious consequences. The assault was recorded as a case of domestic violence and led to police intervention.

German police sources said there were no indications of a political motive. However, the case is being closely monitored by federal authorities because of Stalcher’s status as an elected local official.

Police are conducting thorough searches of the mayor’s residence, examining DNA, digital traces and telecommunications data. Authorities have not ruled out any of the possibilities – from a domestic dispute to a planned attack.

Political reactions

Herdeke has been plunged into silence, with residents leaving flowers and messages outside city hall. The case has sparked a wave of sympathy across Germany, with the media closely following the investigation.

Iris Stalcher, a labour lawyer and member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), won the municipal elections in Herdecke at the end of September with 52.2 percent of the vote against conservative candidate Fabian Haas (CDU). She was due to take office on November 1.

Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Murch, condemned the attack as an “inhuman and deplorable act”, expressing solidarity with Stalcher’s family and wishing for a speedy recovery.

“Violence has no place in our democracy, whether it comes from political or personal motives,” he said.

Similarly, local officials in North Rhine-Westphalia said they were shocked, while Germany’s municipal associations called for increased protection measures for elected officials after a series of threats and attacks in recent years.

The attack comes at a time when Germany is trying to deal with increasing violence against politicians and public officials. In 2024 alone, nearly 6 in 10 elected officials reported receiving threats or attacks, according to surveys conducted by municipal associations.

Stalcher’s case reignites the debate over local authority protections and hate speech that is seen as reinforcing social polarisation in the country.