Vincent McAviney: Europe Correspondent on the attack on demonstrators in Munich

German officials are on high alert after an attack in Munich ahead of a big few weeks in national and global politics.  

It's believed 28 people —including children— have been injured after an Afghanistan asylum seeker allegedly drove into a crowd of demonstrators overnight.  

European Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin the city is about to host the high profile Munich Security Conference, with US Vice President JD Vance having already arrived.  

He says Germany has had several of these attacks over recent years, and have election just over a week away which could have something to do with it. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Vincent mcavini is with me from Europe and the UK. Vincent,
what good morning, What is the latest on the zettack
in Munich.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning, Well, this attack happened in Munich a couple
of hours ago, and Afghan asylum seeker drove at a
group of people in the German city. Reports say he
is a twenty four year old who had an asylum
claim rejected after coming to Germany in twenty sixteen, but
has been given a sort of leave to remain since then.

(00:30):
But it's understood he is someone known to officers. He
has had offenses of theft and drug usage and drug
we think sales as well, but it's unclear what his
motive was. Today he was ended by a who fired
one jotted him before arrest. But it comes just as

(00:51):
Munich is set to host the Munich Security Conference, which
is one of the biggest global security conferences. The Vice
president j D Varnt arrived in the city, but it's
unclear at the moment whether or not this is in
any way connected to that conference. Germany has had several
of these attacks over recent years, and they've got an
election just over a week away, so that potentially could

(01:12):
have something to do with it as well, Vincent.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Very quickly, how is Europe reacting to the conversations President
Trump is having with both Russia and the Ukraine.

Speaker 2 (01:23):
Well, a lot of frustration and anchor as well at
what's going on. Vladimir Zelenski coming out and saying very
clearly there can be no peace plan sort of forged
between Trump and Putin without him, as are reportedly going
to be a conference in Saudi Arabia on this, but
the Ukrainians saying they must be involved and that will
be the only way to secure peace. Lots though in Europe,

(01:44):
which is obviously you know, we've borne the brunt of
supporting Ukraine in terms of taking in Ukrainians and the
support that's been given, and also the impacts on cost
of living, and many European nations leaders angry that, you know,
they're comparing it to appeasement of Hitler, saying that Trump
has already given too much away ahead of the negotiations
with that ninety minute call yesterday with Vladimir Putin.

Speaker 1 (02:07):
Thank you so much, Vincent, I appreciate your time.

Speaker 2 (02:10):
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