German AfD leader in ICU after possible poisoning
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Doctors reportedly found an injection site on the politician's body.
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AfD's top candidate Tino Chrupalla follows the first forecasts on the outcome of the election at the Alternative for Germany party, AfD, election event in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Tino Chrupalla, the co-leader of Germany's right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, remains in the intensive care unit of a German hospital after he may have been poisoned by offenders, the Passauer Neue Presse newspaper reported on Thursday.
According to the report, doctors found an injection site on Chrupalla's body.
Chrupalla was hospitalized on Wednesday night in the German city of Ingolstadt after being attacked by two young men at a campaign rally. The suspects were detained after the incident. Chrupalla's fellow AfD co-leader, Alice Weidel, did not attend the rally amid safety concerns, as she and her family members have been receiving threats.
The German Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the injuries sustained by Tino but has said that there is no evidence of assault so far.
In August, AfD member Andreas Jurca was brutally beaten by offenders who questioned him about his election plans.
Read more: German rightwing party AfD describes EU as a failed project
The 2023 Bavarian state election is due to be held this Sunday. AfD party has been gaining in popularity in recent months, and polls show that it is currently polling between 18% and 23% nationally. The AfD supports limiting immigration and opening peace negotiations on the Ukraine crisis. Critics of the party accuse it of having close ties to Russia.
On September 6, Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the AfD's nationalist policies could jeopardize the nation's economic well-being.
"Most citizens know that the self-called 'Alternative' is, in reality, a demolition commando -- a demolition squad for our country," Scholz told parliament at the start of budget debate week, while also expressing concern about the AfD's advocacy for a return to nationalism.
"Our prosperity is most tightly linked with the European Union," said Scholz.
"And that's why the calls for new barriers between the member states, for a dismantling of the EU, and for a radical dismantling of the welfare state is nothing but wanton destruction of prosperity," he further said.
On August 14, German sources told The Telegraph that the Bundestag is contemplating banning the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD).
In a speech to German domestic intelligence, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: "We all have it in our hands to put those who despise our democracy in their place."
His statements were linked to support for a ban after Haldenwang, the domestic spy chief, warned about increasing extremism in the party.
On his part, Haldenwang said: "We see a considerable number of protagonists in this party that spread hate against all types of minorities here in Germany."
Germany's famous Der Spiegel news magazine voiced its take on the matter by publishing the headline: "Ban the enemies of the constitution!"
"The AfD has become more and more radicalized. It’s time to defend democracy with better weapons," Der Spiegel said.
Read more: Germany mulls banning right wing party AfD
