German police are investigating a death threat against a state premier in the latest alarming episode linked to protests against Covid-19 restrictions.
A message calling for Manuela Schwesig to be detained or killed was posted in a Telegram group used by self-described sceptics in her home state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
“She will be taken away – either by patrol car, by ambulance in a straitjacket, or by hearse,” the message said. “One way or another she will be taken away.”
It came weeks after a separate protest in which demonstrators marched outside Ms Schwesig’s house to object to virus restrictions.
Christian Pegel, the state’s interior minister, said state police were investigating online threats, which he described as having crossed a line.
“We have reached a level of discussion that isn’t acceptable, that tries to force people’s positions through with threats,” he told local television.
“In a democratic society, that’s a red line you can’t cross, and anyone who does cross it has to expect society to respond accordingly.”
It is the latest threat from the anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine protest scene to concern authorities, after a serving soldier was arrested over a Telegram video last month and extreme-right groups were accused of infiltrating protests.
Another state leader, Michael Kretschmer, was the subject of alleged death threats which led to police seizing crossbows from suspects. Like Ms Schwesig, he governs a state in the former East where vaccine scepticism is highest.
Ms Schwesig, who was re-elected in September, said she was grateful for the protection she received from security services.
“Violence is not a method,” she said.
Germany tightened restrictions last month to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, with private gatherings limited to 10 people. Unvaccinated people are largely excluded from venues such as restaurants and cinemas.
Ms Schwesig’s government went further still by closing some venues altogether and requiring a negative test even from vaccinated people.
Tougher nationwide curbs could be on the table when Germany’s 16 state premiers hold talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday.
Although infection numbers are low compared to other European countries such as Britain and France, ministers expect cases to rise in the coming weeks.
“A tightening will unfortunately be necessary to face the serious wave that is coming our way,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
He did not give details on how restrictions could be toughened, but said unvaccinated people could not expect limits on their freedoms to be lifted “in the short or medium term”.
About 71 per cent of Germany’s population is fully vaccinated, with 40 per cent having received a booster shot.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
Results
International 4, United States 1
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods (US) beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann (International) 4 and 3.
Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im (International) beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (US) 2 up.
Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (International) beat Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau (US) 2 and 1.
Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan (International) beat Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (US) 1 up.
Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen (International) beat Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (US) 4 and 3.
PSL FINAL
Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi
8pm, Thursday
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
