German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for better protection for local small-town elected officials, noting that many have complained of growing hostility and even physical assaults. “Democracy begins locally. But democracy is also threatened locally. And we must therefore also defend it locally,” Steinmeier on Thursday during an exchange of ideas with town mayors held in Berlin. People committed to democratic values should not simply shrug their shoulders as local mayors and town councillors start avoiding controversial issues, delete social media accounts or even resign from off…