AfD and Churches: "Pinprick Tactics"

As elections loom in September for the German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party currently holds a commanding lead in opinion polls, positioning it as the strongest political force in both regions.

This electoral landscape has prompted discussions within religious institutions about the potential implications of an AfD government on church-state relations. Hans Michael Heinig, a legal scholar specializing in church law, is advising the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) on these matters. His consultations focus on the potential actions an AfD-led government might take concerning the churches.

Heinig notes that while direct calls from church officials expressing concern are not frequent, the EKD and its member churches do commission expert opinions. These assessments aim to prepare for various scenarios, including the possibility of a government that may be critical of churches, should the AfD secure power in a federal state.