The AfD’s election program for Saxony-Anhalt proposes a redistribution of state benefits among all Christian denominations and shifting tax collection duties to the major churches, sparking accusations of financial warfare.
Redistributing State Benefits
The AfD’s manifesto for the September elections in Saxony-Anhalt proposes dividing state benefits among all Christian denominations, rather than exclusively the Protestant and Catholic churches. This model would grant funding to groups such as Pentecostals, Baptists, and Methodists, organizations that often align with the party’s views on traditional family structures, abortion, and opposition to LGBT demands.
Financial and Legal Pressure
The party intends to mandate that the Protestant and Catholic churches manage their own tax collection, shifting the burden of administrative costs currently borne by tax offices onto the institutions. Der Spiegel reports that this move is viewed by critics as a strategic attempt to strike at the churches’ finances and diminish their influence within the state.
Institutional Conflict
The proposals have been described as a declaration of war against major churches in Saxony-Anhalt. Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, an AfD member of the state parliament, characterized the Catholic Church as an institution far removed from God. In response, Catholic Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg stated that the party views them as enemies due to their defense of the inherent dignity of all people.
Operational Consequences
Church officials warn that a reduction in state funding would cause significant distress, forcing them to exhaust reserves, reduce staffing, and eventually shutter vital facilities. Pastor Martin Olejnicki noted that his Protestant parish in Koethen supports essential local infrastructure, including a kindergarten, an orphanage, a primary school, and a migrant support center.
Legal Obstacles to Implementation
Recent polling suggests the AfD could secure approximately 40 percent of the vote, potentially gaining the ability to govern Saxony-Anhalt independently. However, legal experts remain skeptical, suggesting that the party’s proposed structural changes to church funding are likely incompatible with existing law.