The churches in Germany have expressed serious concerns regarding the conservative bloc’s collaboration with the AfD on stricter asylum laws, signaling potential threats to democracy. Despite public support for tighter regulations, the churches advocate for maintaining democratic integrity without reliance on extremist parties. Upcoming forums are planned to address societal divisions and promote dialogue.
In late January, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), along with its Bavarian counterpart Christian Social Union (CSU), the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), collaborated to vote for more stringent asylum regulations. This decision sparked a significant debate, prompting the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) and the Catholic German Bishops’ Conference (DBK) to issue a joint letter condemning the collaboration. The letter, signed by prominent church figures Anne Gidion and Karl Jüsten, was largely ignored by the conservative factions.
While polls indicate that two-thirds of German citizens support tougher asylum laws, half oppose relying on AfD support for legislative decisions. Outrage has erupted over the conservative alliance with the overtly far-right party. Gidion and Jüsten expressed concerns that abandoning a political consensus against the AfD could severely damage German democracy, particularly with the federal elections approaching on February 23.
Tension between the churches and the conservative bloc has escalated, exemplified by CSU leader Markus Söder’s assertion that Gidion and Jüsten’s letter lacked proper church endorsement. Söder, himself a Protestant, emphasized the importance of open dialogue amidst differing opinions, indicating that criticism should not be stifled.
CSU parliamentary leader Klaus Holetschek termed the churches’ opposition a “cardinal error,” arguing that political debates should remain within the bounds of parliamentary discourse. He articulated that he prefers the churches to focus on providing a moral backbone for society rather than engaging directly in controversial political matters, particularly on the eve of elections.
Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, chair of the EKD Council, justified the churches’ involvement in political matters concerning migration and democracy, affirming that their principles align with the core Christian values upheld by the CDU and CSU. Following research indicating a societal divide in Germany, Fehrs pointed out the urgent need to confront these issues.
The study indicated that a significant number of people feel unable to express their views freely for fear of conflict and social alienation. The church’s initiative aims to create dialogue spaces within its facilities, welcoming individuals of varying perspectives, including AfD supporters, in pursuit of constructive conversations.
While the church intends to facilitate dialogue, Fehrs remains wary of engaging with elected AfD officials, highlighting the party’s extremist views. Both the Protestant and Catholic churches have previously distanced themselves from the AfD, warning against its potential impact on minorities and democracy. February 17 will see the first of six planned forums in Hanau, a city marked by a tragic far-right attack in 2020, aimed at fostering discussion and addressing the lessons learned from such violence.
The article underscores escalating tensions in Germany as churches openly critique political collaborations perceived as harmful to democracy, particularly regarding the AfD’s involvement in asylum policies. Despite public support for stricture asylum laws, there is significant opposition to AfD collaboration. Reiterating the churches’ role in advocating for human dignity, the discourse emphasizes the importance of constructive dialogue amidst societal divisions.
Original Source: www.dw.com
