Gatherings or social events. - Protestant churches emphasize dialogue following AfD's election victory.
In response to the election of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Protestant churches in the southwest are emphasizing the need for dialogue. "As a society and as a church, we need to pay closer attention to one another to understand the anxieties and worries of individuals," stated Heike Springhart, Bishop of the Evangelical Church in Baden, during a speech in Karlsruhe. "We should engage in conversation with each person, giving them the hope and trust that God's love instills in them."
Similarly, Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl, a colleague of Springhart from Württemberg, urged the need for collaboration among all democratic factions. "Democracy depends on thoughtful discussions of various viewpoints and a clear stance against racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia and nationalism," he said. "It's vital for us as a church to step up and make this a priority for the greater good."
Both bishops had previously denounced right-wing sentiments before the local and European elections on Sunday. In a past interview, Gohl claimed that aligning with AfD beliefs contradicts Christian values.
Bishop Springhart's reaction to the AfD's recent success was not surprising, as she mentioned during a speech in Stuttgart. From her perspective, there's no quick solution to the rightward shift: "While the many crises of our time create insecurities and make people susceptible to easy answers from populists, the crises themselves are not straightforward, and the solutions we need are also complex."
The Evangelical Church in Baden shared Springhart's concerns on Instagram, quoting her: "The shift to the right that's happened in Baden and Europe during the local and European elections is deeply troubling. It's more crucial than ever for us to reinforce democratic forces. I advocate for a society characterized by diversity, justice, and peace—in our cities, our country, and the European Union."
