Alarm bells rang in Germany, as the newly elected mayor of Herdecke and SPD member suffered a knife attack outside her home on Tuesday afternoon (07/10). Specifically, Iris Stalzer, the new mayor of Herdecke city in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), was attacked with a knife outside her home. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) politician is hospitalized in critical condition and fighting for her life. According to reports, the attack was allegedly carried out by a group of men.
A major police operation is underway in Herdecke, as the newly elected mayor was found severely injured inside her home, having sustained multiple knife wounds, according to security sources. Strong police forces and ambulances immediately rushed to the scene.
Newly elected Herdecke mayor Iris Stalzer, 57, is in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in her apartment.
Police say several men are suspected in the attack and have launched an urgent appeal for information. #Herdecke #IrisStalzer pic.twitter.com/Tc62cFlnXI
— BPI News (@BPINewsOrg) October 7, 2025
Germany: SPD politician reportedly suffered 13 stab wounds and is in immediate life-threatening condition
The police spokesman simply confirmed that a major operation by authorities is underway, without revealing further information. Stalzer reportedly suffered the attack very close to her home and, despite her serious injuries, managed to crawl inside.
According to information, the SPD politician suffered 13 stab wounds and is in immediate life-threatening condition. As Bild reports, Stalzer was found by her son, to whom she reportedly said she was attacked on the street by several men.
It should be noted that the 57-year-old SPD politician had been elected mayor about a week and a half ago, gathering 52.2% of the votes in the second electoral round, in the city of 22,500 inhabitants in the Ruhr area. According to her official website, Stalzer is a lawyer, married and mother of two teenage children.
