Haseloff: "State cannot convey values alone"

Haseloff: "State cannot convey values alone" - Haseloff: "State cannot convey values alone"

Reiner Haseloff, Germany’s longest-serving state premier, has shared his thoughts on faith, values, and leadership in a new book. The minister-president of Saxony-Anhalt, in office since 2011, reflects on his Christian upbringing in former East Germany and its influence on his political career. His work also examines how institutions—from churches to trade unions—help shape society’s core principles.

Haseloff’s book traces his personal journey, including a childhood memory of being one of just two students in his class to receive Confirmation. While most of his peers underwent the secular Jugendweihe ceremony, he and a Protestant classmate followed religious traditions. These early experiences, he writes, reinforced his Christian values, which later aligned with the principles of Germany’s Basic Law.

The book delves into philosophy as well, particularly the ideas of Josef Pieper and the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and courage. Haseloff describes his faith as a guiding force in politics, helping him navigate decisions with a moral compass. He also stresses that responsibility for upholding values does not rest with one group alone. According to Haseloff, political parties, trade unions, and employers’ organisations must all play a role in keeping fundamental values—such as human dignity, equality, and freedom of expression—alive. Churches, too, remain vital in this effort, he argues, as they help define the ethical foundations of society.

The book offers a rare glimpse into Haseloff’s life, from his religious upbringing to his decades in public office. It also underscores his belief that shared values must be actively promoted by multiple institutions. His reflections arrive as he continues to lead Saxony-Anhalt, a position he has held for over 13 years.