Newly Elected German Mayor Fights for Life After Brutal Stabbing

A newly elected German mayor is in critical condition after being brutally stabbed at her home — just one week after winning office.

Attack at Home

Iris Stalzer, 57, the mayor-elect of Herdecke in western Germany, was found with multiple stab wounds to her stomach and back around noon on Tuesday, according to public broadcaster WDR.

Moreover, the horrifying attack took place near her own home, and emergency services rushed her to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition.

Teen Son Taken for Questioning

Police sources say her 15-year-old adopted son found her injured and called for help alongside his 17-year-old sister.

The boy allegedly told officers his mother had been attacked outside their home by several men, but German outlet Bild reports that police have since taken him into custody for questioning. Additionally, a homicide squad has now taken over the investigation.

Manhunt Underway

Authorities have launched a major alert in the town of Herdecke, located near Dortmund. Moreover, a rescue helicopter and numerous emergency vehicles were seen at the scene, and police are urging the public to come forward with any information that might help identify the attackers.

Political Motive Still Unclear

The motive for the attack remains unknown. Officials have not ruled out any possibilities, including a political motive, as the incident recalls the 2019 murder of conservative local politician Walter Lübcke, who was shot by a far-right extremist.

Additionally, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the stabbing a “heinous act” and said, “We fear for the life of mayor-elect Iris Stalzer and hope for her full recovery. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”

A Promising Future Cut Short

Stalzer, a member of Germany’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), had only been elected mayor on September 28 with 52.2% of the vote. On Instagram, she had shared her excitement about the role, writing, “I will begin my term in November — full of joy, enthusiasm, and respect for this task.”

Following the attack, her social media pages have been filled with messages of support and concern.

Community in Shock

Moreover, residents of Herdecke, a quiet town of 23,000 in North Rhine-Westphalia, are reeling from the news. Stalzer, a lawyer and employment law specialist, is well-known in the community and has lived there most of her life with her husband and two children.

Authorities continue to investigate the case as Stalzer fights for her life in the hospital.

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