Iris Stalzer, 57, who was recently elected as the mayor of Herdecke in western Germany, is in stable condition after being discovered with multiple stab wounds at her home on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Investigators have since identified her 17-year-old daughter as the primary suspect in the attack.

Emergency services were alerted shortly after noon on Tuesday by Stalzer's daughter, who initially reported that her mother had been seriously wounded outside their house during an attempted robbery. However, police and prosecutors quickly determined that the attack appeared to have occurred indoors and found no indications of a political motive. During questioning, Stalzer herself pointed to her daughter as the assailant.

Background and Investigation

Iris Stalzer, a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), won the mayoral runoff election on September 28, 2025, securing 52.2% of the vote. She is scheduled to officially take office on November 1, 2025. Herdecke is a town of approximately 23,000 residents located in Germany's Ruhr region.

Following the incident, both Stalzer's 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old adopted son were taken into custody. Prosecutor Bernd Haldorn indicated that the attack was likely due to a "family matter." Investigators recovered two knives and clothing believed to have been used in the attack from the house.

The incident has drawn condemnation from across the German political spectrum. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his concern on social media, stating, "We fear for the life of Mayor-elect Iris Stalzer and hope for her full recovery." Matthias Miersch, the leader of the Social Democrats' parliamentary group in Berlin, also voiced hopes for her survival.

Local Governance in Germany

Germany's governance structure operates on three main levels: the federation, the 16 federal states (Länder), and approximately 11,000 municipalities, which include cities and towns. Local self-government is a constitutionally guaranteed right, allowing municipalities to manage their own local affairs within legal limits. Mayors in many German states are directly elected by the populace for terms typically ranging from five to eight years.

Evidence and Data

• Victim: Iris Stalzer, 57, Mayor-elect of Herdecke.
• Election Date: September 28, 2025.
• Assumed Office Date: November 1, 2025.
• Suspect: Stalzer's 17-year-old daughter.
• Location: Herdecke, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Population of Herdecke: Approximately 22,941 (as of December 31, 2023, according to Landesbetrieb Information und Technik NRW).
• Motive: Presumed family-related, not political.

Unanswered Questions and Next Steps

While investigators have ruled out a political motive, the specific nature of the family conflict that led to the stabbing remains unclear. The children involved are expected to be released into the care of youth welfare services while the investigation continues.

The incident highlights the vulnerabilities even public figures can face within their private lives. Further details are anticipated as the police investigation progresses and the youth welfare office determines the next steps for the children involved.