 "Forensics work on a damaged car sitting with its doors open after a driver plowed into a busy Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, early Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. AP")
A major fury erupted among the far-right group after a driver rammed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Germany, killing at least two people and injuring over 68 others. The authorities noted that the main suspect in the attack was a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia who have been living in Germany since 2006. The suspect named Taleb was awarded refugee status in 2016.
Leading right-wing figures from Geert Wilders in the Netherlands to Nigel Farage in Britain, seized the opportunity to push their anti-immigration rhetoric. The anger is intensifying as hard-right parties gather momentum around the continent. Beyond the continent of Europe, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other key advisers of US President-elect Donald Trump also commented on the matter, even calling for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign.
The attack took place in the German town of Magdeburg and occurred at a time when Germany’s AfD Party, which is known for its anti-immigration stance, was gaining popularity in the country. Not only this, Germany is also scheduled to host snap federal elections on February 23 after Scholz’s government lost confidence motion.
Prominent European rightwing leaders seize the opportunity
Far-right Dutch politician Wilders called the incident “barbaric” and said that Europe should close its border. “Another barbaric attack in Europe — this time by a man from Saudi Arabia,” Wilders said. “Once again, an incredible number of innocent victims, dead and wounded, are to be mourned. Once again politicians crying crocodile tears. I’ve been saying it for over 20 years: stop with those open borders," he added.
French far-right politician, Marine Le Pen also took potshots at the rise in “Islamism” across Europe. “Once again, Islamist barbarity is sowing terror in the heart of Europe. This act of war against a symbol of our civilisation is heartbreaking,” Le Pen said, adding: “Our thoughts this evening are with the victims and families of this carnage perpetrated in the middle of the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany.”
Meanwhile, British politician Nigel Farage also blamed the violence on border policies. “We have allowed people who hate us and our values into Europe. Christmas is their target. Any guesses why?” Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been increasingly supporting the rightwing European leaders later reposted Farage’s tweet. Days before the attack, Musk endorsed the German far-right party for the February polls. The Tesla CEO later shared another post in which he called for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him an “incompetent fool”.