Fri Sep 20 14:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Far-Right AfD Poised for Victory in Eastern German State, Leaving Lutheran Church in the Crosshairs
**Forst, Brandenburg** – A sense of unease hangs heavy over the town of Forst, a small community in eastern Germany that has become a stronghold for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. As the state of Brandenburg prepares for a crucial election this Sunday, the AfD is projected to win with a landslide victory, fueled by concerns over migration and a sense of alienation among residents.
This stark shift in political landscape has left the Lutheran church, a long-standing institution in the region, feeling increasingly vulnerable. Lutheran pastors Tobias Jachmann and Simon Klass, who have served in Forst since 2021, have become targets of harassment and abuse after openly criticizing the AfD. They say they have witnessed a growing hostility towards them, with residents refusing to acknowledge them and a palpable sense of threat in the air.
The AfD’s rise in Forst mirrors its success across eastern Germany, where it has capitalized on local anxieties and resentment towards mainstream politics. The party’s focus on migration and asylum seekers, particularly following recent violent incidents involving individuals from Afghanistan and Syria, has resonated with many residents.
The Lutheran church, along with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, has strongly condemned the AfD’s rhetoric and policies, warning of their threat to democratic values and Christian principles. However, with declining church membership in the region, their ability to sway voters remains uncertain.
The local Lutheran bishop, Christian Stäblein, has likened the current situation to the pre-election debates held in East German churches during the 1980s, arguing that the AfD is attempting to undermine basic rights and freedoms.
While the AfD’s victory in Brandenburg would be a significant blow to the ruling Social Democratic Party, it does not automatically translate to power. The party is shunned by all other political groups, leaving it on the sidelines despite its strong showing at the polls.
The election is likely to have national ramifications, particularly for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is facing growing criticism over his handling of the migration crisis and the AfD’s rise.
In Forst, the pastors, despite the dangers, remain committed to their mission. Jachmann acknowledges the local anxieties surrounding migration but argues that the AfD’s hateful rhetoric does not offer any solutions. He vows to continue speaking out against the party, refusing to allow its poisonous ideology to normalize within the community.
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