After an Afghan migrant drove his vehicle into a left-wing Ver.di demonstration in Munich, injuring at least 28 people right before national elections, the leader of Bavaria, Christian Socialist (CSU) Prime Minister Markus Söder, is calling for “political consequences.”
“It is simply terrible when you get the news again that someone has driven a car into a crowd of people,” said Söder at a press conference, while saying it was likely an intentional attack.
“We react prudently to every attack like this, but I can also tell you that our determination is growing. This is not the first case, and who knows what else will happen,” Söder explained. In addition, the incident must have consequences, Söder said, according to German news outlet Tagesschau. “We cannot go from attack to attack and show concern (…), but must actually change something.”
Notably, he is the leader of the state where this and other terror attacks have occurred, so presumably, political consequences could also mean removing him from power, but that is not likely what he would suggest.
Meanwhile, the AfD released a statement and a prediction, which Remix News reported: “The driver who drove a car into a Ver.di demonstration in Munich is an Afghan (26). Prediction: Like the perpetrator in Aschaffenburg, he will also be known to the police in CSU-governed Bavaria and will be required to leave the country – and will be classified as ‘mentally ill.'”
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) February 13, 2025
AfD makes a statement and prediction after Munich attack:
"The driver who drove a car into a Verdi demonstration in Munich is an Afghan (26). Prediction: Like the perpetrator in Aschaffenburg, he will also be known to the police in CSU-governed Bavaria and will be required to… pic.twitter.com/TmROD2Z6tA
Notably, Söder has ruled Bavaria for years, and his party, which is the sister party of the CDU, has been seen as weak on immigration despite its rhetoric. Notably, the attack happened on his watch, but it is unclear if there will be political consequences for the CDU or CSU, which also failed to pass a migration reform bill last month.
Meanwhile, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel wrote on X:
“The driver of the terrorist attack in Munich was an Afghan asylum seeker known to the police. Once again, many people were seriously injured, and once again women and children were among the victims. My deepest sympathy goes out to the victims and their families. Is it going to continue like this forever? Migration change now!”
Der Terror-Fahrer von München war ein polizeibekannter afghanischer Asylbewerber. Wieder viele Schwerverletzte, wieder Frauen und Kinder unter den Opfern. Den Opfern und ihren Angehörigen gilt meine ganze Anteilnahme. Soll das immer so weitergehen? Migrationswende jetzt! pic.twitter.com/u4qTw9E2zW
— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) February 13, 2025Several of the victims are in critical condition, including children, with photos showing a baby stroller.
The Afghan was known for drug and theft offenses, said Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU). Police sources say the man, Farhad N., was not previously known for any extremist views in Germany.
The current government has blocked nearly all deportations to Afghanistan despite sexual violence, assaults, and other crimes committed by multiple Afghan offenders.
The attack will surely send political shockwaves through the country, as elections are set for Feb. 23, just 10 days from now.
German commentators are already noting that the attack comes as no surprise, including German author Birgit Kelle.
“Car – crowd – seriously injured. You’re just waiting for official confirmation, but you always know in the first second that the perpetrator’s profile is no surprise. The question is often only whether it was a Syrian or an Afghan? Police and eyewitnesses confirm that it was not an accident. 20 people seriously injured. There were also children there. And yes, the perpetrator is said to be a 26-year-old Afghan. Munich is one of a sad series of attacks.
Meanwhile, the Greens are trying tooth and nail to prevent the borders from being closed and the further influx of people into Germany being restricted. The SPD is also failing miserably and is sticking to this course because they would rather deal with an alleged new right-wing in the CDU than finally worry about protecting their own population. They will all now come to Munich in a procession of concerned faces and pretend to take action. In 11 days, however, the people will vote for who they really trust to put an end to these massacres.
Auto – Menschenmenge – Schwerverletzte. Man wartet eigentlich immer nur noch auf die offizielle Bestätigung, aber man weiß es inzwischen immer in der ersten Sekunde, dass das Täterprofil keine Überraschung ist. Die Frage stellt sich oft nur noch zwischen Syrer oder Afghane?… pic.twitter.com/yaHxnD3shG
— Birgit Kelle (@Birgit_Kelle) February 13, 2025A large-scale police operation is ongoing along Seidl and Dachauer streets, which are the main streets leading into the city center from the northwest.
Tomorrow, representatives from around the world will be meeting for the Munich Security Conference, including world leaders.
