Two years have passed since the terrorist attack in Solingen, and Hendrik Wüst, the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia (CDU), reiterated his condolences to the victims and their families. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post,” Wüst stressed that the state must do everything possible to ensure the best protection for its citizens.
The Minister-President lamented that the memory of that tragic evening remains painful and immediate. He reflected on the lives lost, the injured, and everyone whose life was permanently altered by the attack. “Our thoughts are especially with the families and friends of the victims; we offer them our deepest sympathy,” he stated. Wüst noted that the attack did not just shake the city of Solingen, but the entire country, simultaneously underscoring the vital importance of decisively defending the free and open society against terrorism and extremism.
He referenced the comprehensive package of measures implemented immediately following the incident. While acknowledging that many of these initial actions have been successfully put into practice, Wüst assured the public that other measures are being implemented consistently. He emphasized that the government cannot rest on its achievements and views early risk detection and optimal citizen protection as a permanent responsibility, always seeking areas for improvement. Although he conceded that absolute security cannot be promised, he affirmed that people have every right to expect the state to do everything within its power to protect them. Furthermore, he declared that terror and hatred must never be allowed to dictate how life is lived in Germany.
Finally, Wüst pointed out that in the two years following the incident, the people of Solingen demonstrated that solidarity is stronger than the hate intended to divide them.
