Across Europe, the Christmas market should be a joyous celebration of traditional foods and local crafts. It is a place to take children, to meet with family and friends, and to celebrate the season. And yet, the tragic events in Magdeburg, in eastern Germany, over this weekend are a painful reminder that festive markets have become something darker as well. All too often, they have become the tragic scene of terror attacks. It is far too early to say what motivated the perpetrator, but with five dead, and more than 70 badly injured, it is a grim reminder that even the most innocent of gatherings can be turned into targets by embittered individuals driven only by hatred and violence.
In the New Year, German leaders, along with politicians across Europe, will have to think more seriously about border security, about asylum systems, and about the monitoring of refugees, if they are to keep their citizens safe. Security patrols are, understandably, going to be stepped up, and rightly so. And yet, we hardly want popping out for a bratwurst and beer with the elves to be like trying to get onto a flight, with body searchers and scanners obligatory. Nor do we want to be surrounded by armed police. We are losing the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life without fearing for our lives, and our leaders need to get to grips with that before it is too late.