The German mayor wounded critically during a stab, said the police

A newly elected mayor in western Germany was stabbed and left seriously injured near her house, police said.

Iris Stalzer, 57, is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Center-Gauche (SPD) and became mayor of Hardecke in the state of North Westphalia Rhine in September.

Local police say that a major operation is underway in the small town. Investigators say that all avenues are exploves, but they do not proclaim a family ties.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned what he called “an odious act”, adding: “We fear the life of the elected mayor, Iris Stalzer, and hope for a complete recovery.”

The SPD said that its party members had been deeply shocked by the attack.

The officials say that the two adopted children of Stalzer – a girl, 17 years old, and a 15 -year -old son – made an emergency to the authorities at Local Midi (11:00 am BST).

The children were then taken for interrogation and medico-legal investigation. A journalist on the scene observed that a teenager entering a police patrol car.

This summer, there was an incident of domestic violence in the family, which was registered by the police, said sources of security.