Matthias Ecke (born 12 April 1983) is a German politician who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party since 2022.[1][2]
Matthias Ecke | |
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Member of the European Parliament for Germany | |
Assumed office 3 October 2022 | |
Preceded by | Constanze Krehl |
Personal details | |
Born | 12 April 1983 Meerane, East Germany (now Germany) | (age 41)
Political party | Social Democratic Party of Germany |
Early career
editBefore entering the European Parliament, Ecke worked as advisor to Martin Dulig at Saxony's State Ministry for Economic Affairs.[2]
Political career
editIn parliament, Ecke has been serving on the Committee on Regional Development.[3] In addition to his committee assignments, he is part of the parliament's delegation for relations with Belarus.[3]
Assault in 2024
editIn 2024, Ecke was assaulted by a group of four young males while putting up campaign posters in Dresden-Striesen ahead of the 2024 European Parliament election in Germany and had to undergo an emergency surgery.[4] The same group attacked two teams of Green Party election workers in the same night, leaving a 28-year-old injured.[5]
A 17-year-old from the group of perpetrators, who a witness identified as belonging to the far-right, turned himself in to the police one day after the attack.[6] By 5 May, the Saxony police had also identified the three other perpetrators.[7]
German chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said that the attack on Ecke was "depressing" and that democracy was threatened by such acts.[2] Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) warned "extremists and populists are stirring up a climate of increasing violence". Social Democrats blamed supporters of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) for the attack.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Home | Matthias ECKE | Abgeordnete | Europäisches Parlament". www.europarl.europa.eu (in German). 12 April 1983. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
- ^ a b c "Scholz fordert geschlossenes Vorgehen gegen rechts" [Scholz demands united action against the right]. Der Spiegel (in German). 2024-05-04. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ a b Matthias Ecke European Parliament.
- ^ "Campaign violence: SPD candidate Matthias Ecke severely injured in brutal assault in Dresden". today.rtl.lu. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ a b "European election: German Chancellor Scholz condemns attack on Matthias Ecke". 2024-05-04. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "Europaabgeordnetem das Jochbein gebrochen: 17-Jähriger stellt sich nach Angriff auf SPD-Politiker Matthias Ecke in Dresden" [European parliamentarian had his cheekbone fractured: after attack on SPD politician Matthias Ecke, 17-year-old turns himself in]. Der Tagesspiegel (in German). 2024-05-05. ISSN 1865-2263. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ "Alle vier Verdächtigen identifiziert" [All four suspects identified]. Tagesschau (in German). 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-10.