Evangelical Church in Germany warns of right-wing populist influence

A working group within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has issued a warning regarding potential infiltration by followers of “authoritarian right-wing populism.” The report, titled “Extremist Political Engagement and Church Offices,” was led by church law expert Hans Michael Heinig.

The paper notes that support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party among EKD members is roughly 20 percent, which is comparable to the general population. While the group concluded that AfD membership alone is not sufficient grounds for removing someone from a church office, it warned that endorsing positions that are contemptuous of humans or hostile to the church poses a significant threat.

Specific areas of concern include regional youth work and church boards. Additionally, the report criticized how some regional churches have handled AfD members in the past, suggesting that certain procedures may have failed to uphold the standards of the rule of law and fair processes.