A German mayor who is a member of the centre-Left Social Democrats party remains in a critical condition after being stabbed 13 times at home by her 17 year old daughter, according to reports. She was found with multiple stab wounds by her adopted son at her flat in Herdecke.

Iris Stalzer, 57, was found at home on Tueadsy with several stab wounds after her daughter called the police and said she was attacked by a gang. Her injuries which were initially said to be life-threatening following the incident in Herdecke in western Germany, where she was chosen as mayor on 28 September. But authorities later confirmed that the 57-year-old’s life was no longer in danger.

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Emergency services were alerted by Stalzer’s 17-year-old daughter, who reported that her mother had been seriously wounded outside the house in an attempted robbery. On arrival, police found Stalzer sitting in a chair with multiple stab wounds, and determined that the attack appeared to have happened indoors.

Investigators at the house found two knives as well as clothing believed to have been used in the attack. They detained Stalzer’s daughter and son, who is 15.

When questioned on Tuesday evening, Stalzer pointed to her daughter as the suspect, according to police investigator Jens Rautenberg.

There was no immediate information on the nature of the family conflict that preceded the stabbing. Rautenberg declined to comment on a possible motive at a news conference in the nearby city of Hagen, saying that it was still a matter for investigation.

Prosecutor Bernd Haldorn said he considered it a case of bodily harm, and that police and prosecutors intended to release the children and put them in the hands of the youth welfare office, which would decide on further measures while the investigation continued.

The attack on Stalzer — which followed violence against other local German lawmakers in recent years — drew swift condemnation from Chancellor Friedrich Merz and others. But investigators determined on Tuesday that there was no sign of a political motive.

The regional public broadcaster WDR said that police had been called to Stalzer’s house on several occasions in the past due to reports of domestic violence.

The Spiegel news magazine said that an incident had been reported to police in summer this year involving Stalzer’s daughter attacking her with a knife.

Stalzer is due to take office on 1 November. She is a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the junior party in Germany’s conservative-led national government.

Herdecke is a town of about 23,000 people in western Germany’s Ruhr region, located between Hagen and Dortmund.

Earlier reports had it that Ms Stalzer was found wounded at around lunchtime, having reportedly dragged herself back inside her home. It was reported that her son had called the police, telling officers that she was attacked outside the apartment by a gang of men who stabbed her in the back and stomach.

Police began a manhunt for the alleged attackers, and the children were removed from the residence. The son, aged 15, was taken away in a forensic suit to preserve evidence.

Ms Stalzer, who was airlifted to hospital following the attack, continues receiving emergency treatment as the incident is being investigated .

Ms Stalzer was elected as the mayor of Herdecke, near the city of Dortmund, on Sept 28. She is a former labour lawyer who has worked for many years in local politics in Herdecke, which has a population of 20,000.

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, wrote on social media: “We have received news of a terrible deed in Herdecke. It must be swiftly investigated. We fear for the life of the mayor-designate, and hope for her full recovery.”