German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economics Robert Habeck has filed over 700 criminal complaints against hate messages since April 2023. These complaints, which include specific threats of violence, have raised concerns about the safety of politicians in Germany.

Habeck, who collaborates with specialized law firms and the organization HateAid, emphasizes that such hate undermines political discourse and creates a climate of fear.

The number of attacks on politicians has surged, with a reported 29% increase in offenses against public officials last year.

Habeck's proactive approach contrasts with former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who opted not to file complaints despite facing similar online abuse.

He insists that allowing this hostility to become normalized is unacceptable.