Berlin's state minister for economy, energy, and enterprise, Franziska Giffey, belonging to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), was injured in an attack at a library in the Rudow district of the German capital on Tuesday. The incident marks the latest in a series of assaults against politicians in Germany.

After being hit "on the head and neck" with a bag filled with hard contents, Giffey sought medical treatment and briefly went to the hospital for outpatient care. The attacker struck her suddenly from behind during an event at the library on Tuesday afternoon. However, Giffey reassured her well-wishers through a social media post, stating that she was fine after the initial shock.

Expressing her concerns, Giffey condemned the prevailing culture of attacks on politically active individuals. She emphasized that these assaults crossed boundaries that society must firmly oppose. The Berlin public prosecutor's office reported the temporary arrest of a 74-year-old man, who is already known to police for issues related to state security and hate crime. An investigation into the motive of the alleged perpetrator is underway.

In a worrisome pattern of attacks on politicians, another incident occurred in Dresden on the same day. A 47-year-old Greens politician was threatened and spat upon while hanging campaign posters. A reporting team from DW was present at the scene to document the incident. A 34-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, both German nationals, are under investigation for their suspected involvement. The group they belonged to is also being investigated after an illegal Nazi slogan was reportedly heard.

These attacks come shortly after assaults on European lawmaker Matthias Ecke and a Green Party campaign worker. Ecke, a member of the European Parliament, was attacked by four individuals while displaying EU election posters in Dresden.

The rise in political violence has instilled fear in Germany, prompting prominent figures to speak out against such incidents. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, underlined the threat posed to democracy by these attacks. She called for the perpetrators to face appropriate legal consequences. Similarly, Berlin's state minister for sports, Iris Spranger, denounced the assault on Giffey and other politicians, stating that the protection of democracy must be strengthened against hate speech and false information.

As the incidents of assaults against politicians and election workers become increasingly commonplace, the co-chairperson of the Greens, Ricarda Lang, expressed deep gratitude and respect for those who continue to work for democracy despite the risks.

The protection of individuals from such attacks, both legally and through enhanced security measures, aims to safeguard democracy itself. Authorities are intensifying their efforts to ensure the safety of politicians, and an urgent call has been made to counter hate speech and false information that contribute to such acts of violence.

The investigation into the attack on Franziska Giffey remains ongoing, emphasizing the need to swiftly identify and hold accountable those responsible for this shocking assault on a dedicated public servant.

Note: The provided information was summarized to generate this news article.