German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said on Tuesday he will not tolerate hate messages and threats of violence directed towards him – and is ready to file charges if necessary.
“This is simply a decision that I am no longer willing to tolerate anything that tends toward violence and contempt. Also because others naturally shouldn’t do it either,” Habeck told the podcast Machiavelli.
Germany’s Die Welt newspaper reported in July that Habeck, who also serves as minister for economy and climate action, has filed hundreds of complaints since April 2023 regarding hate messages he has received.
The more than 700 legal complaints were filed through the ministry and Habeck’s parliamentary office, the newspaper wrote.
Habeck is working with specialised law firms and the organization HateAid on this matter.
“You have to fight hard, as best as you can,” Habeck said. “It’s a transgression of language that will eventually lead to a transgression of actions and violence in reality.”
