As eastern Germany heads toward crucial state parliament elections, Paderborn Archbishop Udo Markus Bentz has issued a sharp challenge to both the public and the church: counter right-wing populism with hard facts rather than sweeping rhetoric.
Challenging the AfD Narrative on Migration
In statements released by dpa, the Catholic leader argued that while the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has aggressively framed migration as the overriding crisis, it systematically fails to address the region’s actual structural burdens.
Tackling Stubborn Regional Realities
Voters in regions like Saxony-Anhalt face deeply rooted difficulties that demand practical governance instead of empty slogans, according to Archbishop Bentz. The church statements highlighted an aging population, ongoing economic hurdles, medical supply shortages in rural areas, and persistent educational gaps.
“Ten percent of school leavers leave without a lower secondary school leaving certificate,” Bentz stated, describing these metrics as “real problems that one must tackle.” Right-wing populists offer zero workable solutions for these systemic issues, he added, pointing directly to campaign posters he considers entirely devoid of substantive content.
Questioning the Global Populist Track Record
Challenging the historical promises of populist movements, the archbishop posed a direct question: in which country have populists genuinely improved society? To illustrate his point, he highlighted the aftermath of Brexit in the United Kingdom, political shifts in Poland and Hungary, and the political climate under former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Defending Democratic Values in the Public Square
Religious institutions, the archbishop maintained, hold a distinct responsibility to keep democratic values and personal freedoms alive within modern society. By championing these principles, the church aims to exert a positive influence on the broader public debate leading up to upcoming state legislative votes in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Pilgrimage to Saxony-Anhalt Ahead of the Vote
To demonstrate concrete solidarity and engagement, Archbishop Bentz announced plans to travel to the Diocese of Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt for a scheduled pilgrimage spanning Saturday and election Sunday. The visit underscores a longstanding institutional friendship connecting the Archdiocese of Paderborn with the East German diocese.
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