The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt has adopted a confrontational stance towards Christian churches, prompting responses from Catholic and Protestant representatives characterized by both concern and determination. Outside Magdeburg's Catholic cathedral, banners read, "Love thy neighbor, dialogue, human dignity, solidarity. VOTE CONSCIOUSLY!" Nearby, the Protestant Cathedral Congregation displays a sign stating, "DIVERSITY IS DIVINE," while other churches in the area exhibit messages like "Heart Instead of Hate."
Warnings regarding the far-right AfD, which has significant support in Saxony-Anhalt, have become commonplace within church activities. During a sermon at a pilgrimage event in September 2025, Magdeburg Bishop Gerhard Feige noted that pilgrims should not vote carelessly, referencing the AfD's party color, blue, which elicited applause from attendees.
The AfD is currently leading in polls ahead of the state election scheduled for September 6, with the possibility of forming a government. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified the AfD's Saxony-Anhalt branch as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" organization.
In Saxony-Anhalt, 10% of the population identifies as Protestant and 3% as Catholic, while over 85% of the state's 2.1 million residents have no religious affiliation, compared to a national average of 47%. Despite this, churches are viewed as defenders of democracy, which the AfD appears to oppose.
The AfD's government program, adopted in April, calls for ending state payments to both the Protestant and Catholic churches and abolishing church tax collection by public authorities. It also seeks to hold churches financially accountable for providing asylum to refugees. The Protestant Academy of Saxony-Anhalt is targeted for defunding due to accusations of political bias, including claims of promoting climate change and immigration policies.
The criticism from the AfD has intensified compared to other regional branches and the national leadership. In February 2024, the German Catholic Bishops' Conference issued a declaration stating that "Ethnic Nationalism and Christianity are Incompatible," highlighting concerns about the AfD's ethnonationalist tendencies.
Bishop Feige expressed that the AfD's actions represent ethnonationalism, contrasting it with the state's previous motto of "Thinking Modern." He criticized the party's election slogans, which he believes promote a divisive agenda. Both major Christian churches assert they are advocating for a Christian perspective on humanity rather than endorsing any political party.
The AfD's government program does not mention Jewish life, while it repeatedly references Islam, framing it as a "religion alien to our culture." Representatives from the state's Jewish association declined to comment on the matter.
The AfD's platform suggests that churches no longer fulfill their "Christian mission," drawing parallels to support seen in the U.S. for certain evangelical groups. Bishop Kramer warned that a government led by the AfD would have serious implications, and both he and Bishop Feige cautioned against underestimating the potential for an AfD-led government. They emphasized the need for cultural institutions and civil society to unite against the party's agenda.