German Christians slam conservative cooperation with far-right AfD

Germany’s two largest Christian churches have jointly denounced opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s plans to pass motions on migration policy in the German parliament with the help of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Ahead of the vote on Wednesday, leading representatives of the Catholic Church and Protestant Church in Germany warned that “German democracy will suffer massive damage” if the so-called “firewall” preventing cooperation with the AfD breaks down.

Prelates Anne Gidion, a Protestant, and Karl Jüsten from the Catholic Church said the timing and tone of the debate on migration policy – which was heightened by a knife attack last week attributed to an Afghan national – was deeply disconcerting.

The contentious dispute is “defaming all migrants living in Germany” and “fuelling prejudices,” they argued in a joint statement. “In our opinion, it does not contribute to solving the issues that actually exist.”

Merz’s proposed measures, which include turning away asylum-seekers at Germany’s borders and withdrawing German citizenship from dual nationals convicted of a serious criminal offence, are “not conducive to preventing similar offences and providing viable answers to public security needs,” the statement said.

The church leaders see the permanent border controls planned by Merz as violations of EU law. “Unilateral action will destroy the foundations of the European Union in the long term,” they further warned.

Germany’s two largest Christian churches have jointly denounced opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s plans to pass motions on migration policy in the German parliament with the help of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Ahead of the vote on Wednesday, leading representatives of the Catholic Church and Protestant Church in Germany warned that “German democracy will suffer massive damage” if the so-called “firewall” preventing cooperation with the AfD breaks down.

Prelates Anne Gidion, a Protestant, and Karl Jüsten from the Catholic Church said the timing and tone of the debate on migration policy – which was heightened by a knife attack last week attributed to an Afghan national – was deeply disconcerting.

The contentious dispute is “defaming all migrants living in Germany” and “fuelling prejudices,” they argued in a joint statement. “In our opinion, it does not contribute to solving the issues that actually exist.”

Merz’s proposed measures, which include turning away asylum-seekers at Germany’s borders and withdrawing German citizenship from dual nationals convicted of a serious criminal offence, are “not conducive to preventing similar offences and providing viable answers to public security needs,” the statement said.

The church leaders see the permanent border controls planned by Merz as violations of EU law. “Unilateral action will destroy the foundations of the European Union in the long term,” they further warned.