Damien McGuinness

And I think that's what's really shocked people. You know, it's a time when people would be relaxing and enjoying the festive season. And Christmas markets are, of course, a big tradition across the country. And, you know, that just makes this an even more horrendous and horrific situation for all those involved.

And that's why officials now and politicians have been coming out expressing their sadness and sorrow at this tragic event.

And that's why officials now and politicians have been coming out expressing their sadness and sorrow at this tragic event.

Yes, that's right. So as you'll remember, in 2016, there was a terrible attack on a market here in Berlin, not far from where I'm standing right now, committed by an Islamist extremist. And that shifted the debate in Germany. In that attack, 12 people were killed. And this was at a time when there were large numbers of asylum seekers coming to Germany. And

Yes, that's right. So as you'll remember, in 2016, there was a terrible attack on a market here in Berlin, not far from where I'm standing right now, committed by an Islamist extremist. And that shifted the debate in Germany. In that attack, 12 people were killed. And this was at a time when there were large numbers of asylum seekers coming to Germany. And

You know, there had been a feeling of welcome to a lot of those people and Germany had been coping well with the influx of lots of new people who were seeking asylum and refuge here. But what we saw after that attack, that the political debate shifted to a certain extent and it gave... a boost to the far-right AFD party, which had been a new party on the scene in politics in Germany.

You know, there had been a feeling of welcome to a lot of those people and Germany had been coping well with the influx of lots of new people who were seeking asylum and refuge here. But what we saw after that attack, that the political debate shifted to a certain extent and it gave... a boost to the far-right AFD party, which had been a new party on the scene in politics in Germany.

And it also, I think it's fair to say, shifted the rhetoric slightly and made the debate around migration a lot more heated and in some quarters quite toxic. And I think that'll be the worry about this attack as well. We still know very little about the suspect and we don't know why he committed this.

And it also, I think it's fair to say, shifted the rhetoric slightly and made the debate around migration a lot more heated and in some quarters quite toxic. And I think that'll be the worry about this attack as well. We still know very little about the suspect and we don't know why he committed this.

And I think that'll be the next question about why he carried out this terrible attack at a festive time of celebration for people.

And I think that'll be the next question about why he carried out this terrible attack at a festive time of celebration for people.

Yeah, that's right. It is, of course, a very uncertain time for Germany. There are snap elections coming up in February after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed in November. So politically, it's quite an uncertain time. And economically, the economy is effectively stalled. So there's lots of uncertainties around in Germany now.

Yeah, that's right. It is, of course, a very uncertain time for Germany. There are snap elections coming up in February after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed in November. So politically, it's quite an uncertain time. And economically, the economy is effectively stalled. So there's lots of uncertainties around in Germany now.

And I think the last thing the country needs is a terror attack in the run-up to Christmas. So I think that... That will make people even more nervous. And, of course, the idea of other terror attacking around Christmas has been something people have been talking about for a long time and hoping would not happen.

And I think the last thing the country needs is a terror attack in the run-up to Christmas. So I think that... That will make people even more nervous. And, of course, the idea of other terror attacking around Christmas has been something people have been talking about for a long time and hoping would not happen.

But, of course, unfortunately, the tragedy has happened this evening, and that's why people will be mourning across Germany tonight.

But, of course, unfortunately, the tragedy has happened this evening, and that's why people will be mourning across Germany tonight.