Stabbing of Newly Elected Mayor in Germany Sparks Outrage and Investigation

Mon Oct 20 2025 08:50:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Iris Stalzer, the newly elected mayor of Herdecke, Germany, has been critically injured in a stabbing incident. The police are conducting a major investigation as public officials express shock and concern.

Iris Stalzer, a member of the Social Democratic Party and recently elected mayor of Herdecke, has been left critically injured after a stabbing near her home. Authorities are investigating all avenues, with a significant focus on potential family connections. Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack, calling it 'heinous,' and local officials are rallying in support for Stalzer’s recovery. Emergency calls made by her adopted children have raised concerns about previous domestic violence incidents within the family.

A newly-elected mayor in western Germany has been stabbed and left critically injured near her home, police say.

Iris Stalzer, 57, is a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and became the mayor of Herdecke in the North-Rhine Westphalia state in September.

Local police report a major operation is underway in the small town. Investigators are exploring all avenues but are not ruling out a family connection.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned what he called a heinous act, expressing fears for the mayor-elect's life and hope for her full recovery. The SPD stated that its members are deeply shocked.

Herdecke's First Deputy Mayor Dennis Osberg wished Stalzer a speedy recovery, expressing shock and dismay at Tuesday’s attack.

Stalzer, who narrowly won last month's mayoral elections and was yet to be sworn in, suffered multiple injuries to her chest and abdomen, according to German media reports.

The police confirmed that she was treated at the scene and subsequently airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Bochum.

Stalzer’s two adopted children - a daughter, 17, and a son, 15 - made the emergency call to authorities around midday local time (11:00 BST).

Authorities later took the children in for questioning and forensic investigation. Witnesses reported seeing a teenager enter a police patrol car.

Forensic experts in protective gear were seen arriving to examine the scene.

This summer, there was also an incident of domestic violence reported in the family, according to security sources.