Bishop Feige warns of dire consequences for the Church as election approaches
Category: Politics
The Catholic Church in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt is urging voters to shun the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the upcoming state election on September 6, 2026. With polls indicating that the AfD could secure its first outright majority at the state level, Bishop Gerhard Feige of the Diocese of Magdeburg has spearheaded the "Bewusst Wählen!" initiative, appealing to the more than 2 million residents to prioritize values like charity, dialogue, and human dignity when casting their votes.
As the election approaches, the Diocese of Magdeburg has launched the Bewusst Wählen! initiative to encourage voters to think critically about their choices. The AfD's manifesto, released in July 2026, includes proposals that threaten the financial stability of the Church by overhauling its funding mechanisms. This includes targeting state payments (Staatsleistungen) exceeding 40 million euros annually to churches, which were originally instituted as compensation for historical seizures of Church property.
The manifesto suggests that these funds would be redistributed proportionally to Christian communities based on membership and strictly limited to clergy salaries and building maintenance. The AfD also aims to change the church tax (Kirchensteuer) system, which currently requires registered Catholics to pay 8-9% of their income tax liability, collected by the state.
The implications of an AfD victory extend beyond financial concerns for the Church. Bishop Feige has expressed fears that an AfD government could lead to a broader shift in German politics. He stated, "If the AfD forms a majority government here, it will be a pilot project. Saxony-Anhalt will then serve as a stepping stone to federal politics." This concern is echoed by the German bishops, who have unanimously declared that Catholics should not vote for the AfD, citing the party's radicalization and racial-nationalist attitudes.
Recent polls show the AfD leading with 41%, significantly ahead of the Christian Democratic Union at 24%. To secure an outright majority, the AfD needs to gain 49 out of 97 seats. If they come first but fail to achieve a majority, other parties have vowed not to form a coalition with them, a strategy referred to as the firewall (Brandmauer).
Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, has drawn media attention, being labeled "Germany's most dangerous man" by *Der Spiegel*. Raised Catholic, Siegmund left the Church in 2017, yet claims to carry Catholic values "in the heart." This contradiction raises questions about how the AfD's policies align with the beliefs of many traditional Catholic voters.
In addition to the Church's concerns, immigrant-owned businesses in Magdeburg staged a "Migra-Strike" on August 26, 2026, closing their doors for five hours to protest the rising influence of the AfD. This strike involved approximately 120-150 businesses and was supported by the Refugee Council of Saxony-Anhalt, which emphasized the need to protect democratic values against the AfD's anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Many participants reported experiencing fear and hostility, with threats following the strike's announcement. Saaeid Saaeid from the Refugee Council noted that the atmosphere has deteriorated in recent years, particularly after a deadly attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg heightened tensions surrounding immigration.
As the September 6 election date approaches, attention will turn to Saxony-Anhalt. Polling data will provide insights into voter sentiment and whether the AfD can maintain its lead. The party's manifesto, which includes a "deportation and remigration offensive," has raised alarms about its potential impact on the state's labor market, already under pressure from demographic decline.
The outcome of this election could have consequences for both the Church and immigrant communities in Saxony-Anhalt. Bishop Feige's warnings about the AfD's influence are echoed by many who fear that a successful campaign could embolden similar movements across Germany. The upcoming election will serve as a litmus test for the political climate in Germany, particularly concerning issues of immigration and national identity.
With the AfD's radical proposals and the Church's call to action, the stakes could not be higher. Will voters heed the warnings from Bishop Feige and the broader community, or will the AfD's message resonate enough to secure a historic victory? As the election nears, the focus will remain on how these dynamics play out in the ballot box.