The recent attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, which left five dead, has intensified scrutiny of security failures by the government ahead of the February 23 snap election.
Warnings about the suspect, an anti-Islam activist with a history of violent online posts, were reportedly overlooked by authorities, sparking criticism from political leaders and the public.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser pledged a thorough investigation and new security measures, but revelations of missteps, including ignored warnings from regional and Saudi authorities dating back to 2015, have deepened public mistrust.
High-profile figures, including Elon Musk, have criticized government and media accounts, while right-wing parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD) have used the incident to amplify anti-immigration rhetoric.
The AfD, polling in second place nationally, has organized rallies and emphasized calls for stricter migration policies, positioning itself as a defender of domestic security.
