“Dubious” expression of opinion
Woman throws a raw egg at Baerbock
05/09/2022 09:31 am
For years, the Greens have opposed arms deliveries. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, they make a U-turn and stand up for the country’s right to self-defense. Peace activists comment on the shift in opinion in their own unique way.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had a raw egg thrown at her during an election campaign for the Greens in North Rhine-Westphalia. A police spokesman commented on the incident that the egg missed its target at the event on Sunday afternoon in Wuppertal. The personal details of the egg thrower were recorded and a criminal complaint was issued.
Security officials ran onto the stage after the egg toss to shield the minister. However, according to WDR, the politician instructed her to step aside so that she could continue her performance. You will not be intimidated by threatened violence, said Baerbock. She accused the egg thrower and her sympathizers of setting a fatal example. Throwing eggs or stones at those who think differently is a dubious way of exercising the right to freedom of expression.
According to the “Spiegel”, the protesters chanted “Greens to the front” and “War mongers” before throwing the eggs and tried to disrupt the event. The federal government and especially the Greens are criticized in circles of peace activists and other parts of the population because they support the delivery of heavy weapons from Germany to Ukraine.
The Greens were against arms deliveries for years. Russia’s war of aggression, which violates international law, has led to a rethink among leading party representatives. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck therefore had to endure a whistle-stop during an election campaign appearance in Bielefeld at the end of April.
A new state parliament will be elected in North Rhine-Westphalia next Sunday (May 15). Polls currently see the Greens at around 17 percent.