Church Attendance like in DDR? Kramer Sees Parallels to AfD

Church Attendance like in DDR? Kramer Sees Parallels to AfD - Church Attendance like in DDR? Kramer Sees Parallels to AfD

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has intensified its criticism of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM). Party leaders in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia have accused the church of abandoning Christian values and aligning too closely with mainstream politics. Recent attacks have even drawn comparisons to historical conflicts from the GDR era.

The dispute escalated after AfD deputy parliamentary leader Till Schneider launched a fierce verbal assault on Catholic Church representatives. He linked the chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference to the devil, deepening tensions between the party and religious institutions.

The AfD’s hostility toward the EKM is not new. In a 2019 position paper titled *An Unholy Alliance*, several state factions accused the church of promoting mass immigration, supporting open borders, and collaborating with pro-migration NGOs. The document framed these actions as politically motivated and harmful to German interests. Regional Bishop Friedrich Kramer responded by drawing parallels between the AfD’s current rhetoric and the repression faced by churches under East Germany’s SED regime. He warned the party against adopting the authoritarian traditions of the former ruling Socialist Unity Party. Despite the conflict, the EKM has stated that AfD members remain welcome to attend services. However, the church has made it clear that party members should not hold positions in its governing bodies. Meanwhile, AfD parliamentary group leader in Magdeburg criticised the EKM for its 'shameless and un-Christian proximity' to established political parties. Looking ahead to the 2026 state elections, AfD politician Kramer believes the party could realistically enter government in Saxony-Anhalt. He urged voters to consider the AfD’s stance on the church and its values as a key issue in the upcoming campaign.

The AfD’s repeated attacks on the EKM highlight a growing divide between the party and religious institutions. While the church maintains an open-door policy for worshippers, it has firmly opposed AfD involvement in its leadership. The dispute is likely to remain a contentious issue as Saxony-Anhalt approaches its next election.