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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [POLITICS]

3 clusters · 14 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Dismissal of hospice worker for AfD candidacy

Overview

Martina Müller, an administrative specialist and former staff council chairperson at the Friedel-Orth-Hospiz Jever, was summarily dismissed by her employer, mission:lebenshaus gGmbH, after 15 years of service. The termination was triggered by Müller’s decision to run as a candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in upcoming local elections for the Friesland district council and the Wangerland municipal council.

The Diakonie-affiliated employer, a subsidiary of the Verein für Innere Mission in Bremen, stated that the candidacy creates a “severe conflict with the fundamental values and mission of the church and Diakonie,” citing principles of human dignity, respect, and solidarity. The organization noted that the AfD is classified as a right-wing extremist group by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Diakonie Bremen emphasized that while it remains politically neutral, it is “wertegebunden” (bound by values), prioritizing human rights and neighborly love.

Müller had previously received a warning in late July 2026 to withdraw her candidacies, which she refused to do. Following her dismissal, Müller has expressed dismay over the loss of her livelihood and has announced her intention to pursue legal action, including a lawsuit for protection against dismissal. The case has raised legal questions regarding whether political candidacy can serve as grounds for termination within religious institutions.

Entities

Martina Müller · mission:lebenshaus gGmbH · AfD · Verein für Innere Mission in Bremen · Diakonie

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Diakonie Bremen terminates employee over AfD candidacy

    The Verein für Innere Mission Bremen terminated hospice worker Martina Müller after she ran for the AfD, citing conflicts with the organization's core values and mission.

  2. 7 days ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    Hospice worker dismissed for running as AfD candidate

    A hospice worker in Lower Saxony was dismissed by a church-affiliated employer after announcing her candidacy for the AfD in upcoming local elections.

  3. 10 days ago

    [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Diakonie dismisses employee for running as AfD candidate

    The Diakonie-affiliated mission:lebenshaus gGmbH has summarily dismissed employee Martina Müller after 15 years due to her candidacy for the AfD in local elections, citing conflicts with church values.

Sources

aerzteblatt.de · agwelt.de · alexander-wallasch.de · apollo-news.net · deutschlandsuchtdensuperstar.de · heute.de · infokuryr.cz · it-boltwise.de · moin.de · mopo.de · newsfeed.zeit.de · tichyseinblick.de · upday.com · wochentlich.de

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history