Merz voices Concern Over Christmas Market Security Following Magdeburg Attack
Magdeburg, Germany – Friedrich Merz expressed his dismay that extensive security concepts are now a prerequisite for holding even smaller Christmas markets in Germany, following a deadly attack in Magdeburg last December. During a visit too Halle, Merz underscored the need for standardized security protocols across all German federal states.
“It upsets me that Christmas fairs cannot be held even in smaller German cities today without the organizers having a comprehensive security concept in place,” Merz stated. He voiced support for the growth of a uniform form of security plans, adding, “ensuring the protection of Christmas markets is a problem in all federal states.”
merz also expressed hope for a swift resolution to security concerns in Saxony-Anhalt, allowing the Magdeburg Christmas market to open as planned in the coming days. The concerns stem from an incident on December 21, 2025, when a 51-year-old man drove his car into a crowd at the Magdeburg Christmas market, killing six people and injuring 300 others.
The defendant, a Saudi Arabian national who has resided in Germany since 2006, is currently undergoing criminal proceedings and has reportedly shown no remorse for his actions.
Merz is scheduled to attend a commemorative service in Magdeburg on the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, where he will deliver a speech. The attack in Magdeburg echoes a similar incident on December 19, 2016, when an Islamist drove a truck into a Berlin Christmas market, resulting in 12 fatalities.
Cover photo: Memorials after the terrorist attack in Magdeburg on December 21, 2025. Credit: Omer Messinger/Getty images
