Half of the respondents said they feel unsafe in public places, on the streets and on public transportation. Eight years ago, that figure was only half as high.
The greatest fears relate to theft and verbal attacks in public. Less common are concerns about becoming a victim of physical or sexual assault or a terrorist attack.
Doesn‘t help the head of state is a scaremongering lunatic himself.
Just to be correct: You are probably referring to the Chancellor (Merz). Thats the head of the government.
The head of the state would be the president (Steinmeier), who - as far as I know - has not expressed such rhetoric.
The German president is merely a ceremonial figurehead, though. Pretty much akin to what constitutional monarchies have a king or queen for.
The few and little actual powers he has, he rarely exercises. Thanks to the way he is elected, he of course is a loyal card carrying member of one of the big parties, and won’t really go against the general political agenda.
And yet he is the formal head of state. Which was all I said.