Destruction of property during election campaigns
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 31, 2025, Mayor Frank Stein and Election Officer Ragnar Migenda of Bergisch Gladbach strongly condemned defamatory actions and undemocratic behaviour during the ongoing election campaign. The statement comes in response to a series of attacks on political parties in the city.
On the night of August 30, offices of the SPD and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen were targeted. The attacks involved glued door locks and the pouring of foul-smelling substances. Previously, similar incidents occurred at the end of July. The nature of these attacks also included Nazi graffiti, a disturbing reminder of intolerance and hate.
Besides the SPD and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, no other parties in Bergisch Gladbach were reported as affected by similar attacks. However, the CDU and AfD have also reported becoming targets of such attacks, although the details of these incidents were not specified.
Mayor Stein and Election Officer Migenda urged all parties to adhere to shared democratic rules and called for respectful interaction among parties for positive social coexistence. They emphasised that such behaviour does not align with the values of the city and that defamation has no place in democratic processes.
The press release number for this update is 254. The attacks are severe enough to warrant such a public statement, highlighting the concern and seriousness with which the authorities are treating these incidents.
The Mayor and Election Officer of Bergisch Gladbach have not specified any particular party in their condemnation, emphasising the importance of upholding democratic values across all political affiliations. The statement was made separately from the press release about the attacks, underscoring the importance of the message being conveyed.
On August 31, 2025, the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, CDU, and AfD were targets of attacks. The ongoing attacks on political parties in Bergisch Gladbach are a concerning development and a reminder of the need to uphold democratic values and promote respectful discourse in political discussions.
