The incident is likely to have an impact on Germany's election in ten days, after it was revealed the suspect is an asylum seeker.

Limiting Germany's refugee intake is a major issue in the campaign for the February 23 federal election, with the conservatives and far-right parties leading polls partly thanks to promises to halt the influx.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the move, stating it has effectively reduced asylum applications and illegal crossings. View on euronews

The German government has extended controls at all of the country's land borders by another six months in an effort to further reduce irregular migration, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday. "With border controls,