A recently appointed municipal leader in western Germany has been attacked with a knife and left critically injured close to her residence, authorities state.
The official, 57, is a member of the SPD political group and assumed the mayoral role of the municipality in the North-Rhine Westphalia state in September.
Area law enforcement report a significant response is under way in the community. Investigators say every possibility is being checked, but they are not ruling out a family connection.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz censured what he called "a terrible crime", adding: "We fear for the life of the mayor-elect, Iris Stalzer, and wish for complete healing."
The party expressed its party members were profoundly stunned by the incident.
Authorities confirm Stalzer's two adopted children - a 17-year-old girl, and a 15-year-old son - contacted emergency services to police at midday local time (11:00 British time).
The children were later taken away for questioning and forensic investigation. A journalist present witnessed a young person getting into a law enforcement vehicle.
This summer, there was an incident of domestic violence in the family, which was recorded by the police, insiders revealed.
- Mayor stabbed at residence
- Critical condition reported
- Police investigation examines domestic angles
- Children alerted authorities
