Magdeburg police reported late Friday that the suspect was a man from Saudi Arabia, which fueled the far-right anger. (German authorities had neither confirmed the violence was terrorism nor tied the suspect to any terror groups at the time of publication.)
Alice Weidel, chair of Germany’s anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, pointedly asked “When will this madness end?” while expressing her condolences for the victims of the attack.
The surging AfD, whose anti-immigrant message has in the past galvanized voters, is seeking to beef up support in the run-up to Germany’s Feb. 23 snap federal election. The far-right party is currently running second in polls and scored strongly in state elections earlier this year.
Wilders, the far-right Dutch politician who has pushed an anti-Islam and hardcore anti-migration message for years, called the incident “barbaric” and called for closed borders in Europe.
“Another barbaric attack in Europe — this time by a man from Saudi Arabia,” Wilders said. “Once again, an incredible number of innocent victims, dead and wounded, are to be mourned. Once again politicians crying crocodile tears. I’ve been saying it for over 20 years: stop with those open borders.”
French far-right figurehead Le Pen, who is eyeing her own chance to snatch power in Paris, also took aim at Islamism following the attack.
