Tue Oct 07 15:31:17 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Iris Stalzer, the mayor-elect of Herdecke, Germany, was critically injured in a stabbing attack outside her home. The attack has been widely condemned, including by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Stalzer, a member of the Social Democratic Party, was elected mayor in September. The motive for the attack is currently unknown, but it follows a period of increased hostility towards politicians in the region. This incident has raised concerns about political violence in Germany, recalling previous attacks on public figures.

**News Article:**

**German Mayor-Elect Critically Injured in Stabbing Attack; Chancellor Condemns “Heinous” Act**

**HERDEKE, GERMANY** – Iris Stalzer, the newly elected mayor of Herdecke, was critically injured in a stabbing attack outside her home on Tuesday, according to local reports. The 57-year-old Social Democratic Party (SPD) politician was reportedly attacked around noon, sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “heinous attack” and urging a swift investigation. “We fear for the life of the designated mayor, Iris Stalzer, and hope for her full recovery,” Merz stated on X.

Details surrounding the attack remain scarce. Initial reports suggest Stalzer was stabbed multiple times and managed to reach her home, where her children called for help. She was airlifted to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Witnesses indicate the possibility of multiple attackers.

Stalzer’s election on September 28 followed what politicians in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s largest state, have described as an unusually hostile campaign period. This incident highlights growing concerns about political violence in Germany. A recent study found that a significant percentage of German politicians have experienced violence, leading to increased reluctance to engage in public appearances.

The attack has drawn comparisons to past incidents, including the 2019 murder of Walter Luebcke, a government official, and the 2015 stabbing of Henriette Reker, then a mayoral candidate in Cologne. Investigations into this latest attack are ongoing, and authorities have yet to release information on potential motives or suspects.

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