AfD Triumph in German Elections: Church Leaders Once Again Defend the Dogma of “Democracy”, CDU Left Outside Parliament for the First Time Since 1949

The Mecklenburg-Pomerania state elections in Germany became yet another testimony that voters are increasingly rejecting the established parties and the course they offer. Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 38.2 percent of the vote – 21.5 percent more than in the previous election. At the same time, the Christian Democrats (CDU) failed to enter the regional parliament for the first time since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, as they did not even win 5 percent of the vote. This is the CDU's worst result since 1949.

The collapse of the Christian Democrats and the rise of the AfD

The Social Democrats came second with 35.4 percent (4.2 percent less than last time), and the Greens and the Left also entered parliament. The remaining forces, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party, remained below the election threshold. An analysis of voter flows shows that most of the AfD's votes came precisely from the CDU. Despite the defeat, Merz is repeating the same promises of reform.

Church leaders – on guard for democracy

As after the elections in Saxony-Anhalt, so now representatives of Catholics and other religious communities reacted almost unanimously – in defense of liberal democracy. According to the portal Katholisch.de, representatives of Christians, Jews and Muslims stated on Sunday evening that the state elections are "a call to action for politicians and all public institutions, including us, the religious communities."

• Hamburg Archbishop Stefan Heße urged "the formation of a good coalition and the strengthening of social cohesion," emphasizing "heart and dedication to democracy and love of neighbor."
• Berlin Archbishop Heiner Koch said that a democratic society flourishes when people help one another and seek solutions together.
• Lutheran Bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt said that the AfD becoming the strongest party must cause concern, and assured that the church defends democratic culture "clearly and resolutely."
• Lutheran Bishop Tilman Jeremias hoped that the difficult situation would encourage "new courage" to talk and shape the future.
• Muslim community representative Maher Fakhouri urged the defense of cohesion, religious freedom and the protection of minorities "even more resolutely."

Berlin – the exception that proves the rule

In the Berlin elections, held alongside the state elections, the AfD came third with 16.3 percent – in a city considered the capital of the alternative and countercultural queer scene, this is nevertheless a solid result. Most of the AfD's votes came from CDU voters.

The voters' decision reveals a deepening divide between the rhetoric of institutions and the expectations of ordinary people. While church leaders speak of protecting democracy, voters are casting their ballots for those who at least acknowledge their anxiety.

Source: christianitas.sk — https://christianitas.sk