Violence during the election campaign Two thirds of the destroyed election posters in Berlin belong to the AfD

Police in Berlin recorded around 500 incidents during the final phase of the city’s election campaign, including over 380 acts of property damage, 12 physical assaults, six threats, and 22 insults. These figures, released by local authorities on September 18, mark a sharp increase compared to previous elections. During the 2021 state assembly election, police documented approximately 120 criminal cases, though comparable data for the February 2023 repeat election could not be retrieved. This year’s surge in disturbances reflects heightened tensions ahead of the September 20 vote for the Berlin Senate and twelve district councils. More than 1,000 campaign posters were damaged or removed, with the AfD suffering the highest number of attacks. According to police records, 652 of the affected posters were associated with the AfD, followed by the CDU with 145, the Left (Linke) with 94, the SPD with 70, the FDP with 37, and the Greens with 33. Physical assaults were also predominantly directed at members of the AfD, with six confirmed cases of bodily harm. On Wednesday morning, police responded to an incident in Reinickendorf involving a cyclist who reportedly shoved a 61-year-old AfD volunteer and threw informational materials onto the wet ground. The cyclist was detained by a witness before police arrived, and the volunteer sustained a leg injury. The case is being investigated by the police’s political crime unit. The campaign period began on August 2, allowing parties to distribute posters throughout the city. Election officials emphasized that these numbers represent only the cases known to them, suggesting the true extent of disruptions may be higher. Similar statistics from past campaigns were not immediately available, highlighting the current escalation in conflict. Separately, a video circulating on social media falsely claimed to show a man destroying ballots for the AfD in Berlin using a carpet knife. The clip, which gained widespread attention, was debunked by the Berlin State Returning Officer, Stephan Bröchler. He stated that the documents depicted in the video were not authentic election materials. The envelopes shown did not match official ones, and the sealing method raised suspicions. According to official guidelines, postal voters receive a specific package containing a voter declaration, two envelopes, and ballot papers. The video showed discrepancies, including the absence of the required declaration and an incomplete set of ballots. Additionally, the presence of bins marked with a modified version of Berlin’s coat of arms, specifically the Berlin bear, was noted as unusual and unapproved by election authorities. Bröchler concluded that the video was likely designed to undermine confidence in postal voting. Meanwhile, interviews conducted with young Turkish-German residents in areas such as Neukölln, Kreuzberg, Wedding, and Spandau revealed growing disillusionment with mainstream parties and increasing support for the AfD. Of the 25 individuals surveyed, 19 had voted in the February 2025 federal election, with 11 indicating they would change their choice this time. Eleven of these respondents planned to vote for the AfD, reflecting a shift away from traditional parties like the SPD and CDU. Many described feeling abandoned by political institutions, citing issues such as housing shortages, economic instability, and rising crime. One participant, Deniz, recounted a difficult experience searching for affordable housing, describing the process as dehumanizing. She chose to vote in person on September 20, stating she felt it was a more decisive act than absentee voting. Her decision aligns with broader trends among younger Turkish-German communities, who increasingly see the AfD as a means to reclaim a sense of order and stability. Other interviewees expressed frustration with the government’s handling of migration and economic policies. Some had previously supported the CDU or SPD but found themselves disillusioned by perceived failures. Others, like Caner and Süleyman, cited dissatisfaction with how both major parties addressed societal challenges. Despite their varied backgrounds, many of those interviewed described a common sentiment: that the political center had failed to address their concerns effectively. Their support for the AfD stems less from ideological alignment and more from a desire for change, even if that change involves embracing a different political perspective. Overall, the combination of rising electoral tensions, misinformation campaigns, and shifting voter allegiances underscores the complex dynamics shaping the upcoming vote. As the campaign enters its final stretch, the situation in Berlin continues to reflect deepening divisions and evolving expectations from the electorate.