Call to Vote on June 9th
German Churches Call for Participation in the 2024 European Elections
Germany's churches have united in a shared appeal to encourage citizens to participate in the upcoming European elections on June 9, 2024. Inviting the nearly 65 million eligible voters in Germany, they urge them to choose parties that share European values, principles, and democracy.
The joint appeal, signed by Georg Bätzing of the Catholic German Bishops' Conference, Kirsten Fehrs of the Evangelical Church in Germany, and Radu Constantin Miron of the Working Group of Christian Churches in Germany, warns against political forces promoting a volatile nationalism that rejects coexistence among people of different nationalities or origins, and who advocate for the abolition of the European Union without fear.
"We firmly oppose such attempts on the grounds that we need a strong and united EU to address the current challenges and protect our freedom, our community, and our prosperity," the statement reads. The churches discourage using these elections as a protest vote.
The European Union, in its current form, the churches believe, is based on values and principles shaped by Christianity. It has brought transnational stability, democracy, and prosperity to the member countries. The churches also highlight the EU's human rights obligations, focusing on situations in asylum, climate, and economic policies. They also note the EU's vulnerability to a militaristic regime in its immediate neighborhood due to the war in Ukraine.
In the context of local elections in Saxony-Anhalt also taking place on the same day, the Web site of our site is part of a statewide alliance "Saxony-Anhalt. Open to the World!" that also urges participation in the local elections. The appeal invites citizens to vote for people who stand for unity in their communities, as well as in Europe.
This alliance includes trade unions, the two main Christian churches, social and welfare associations, migrant organizations, human rights organizations, civil society groups, businesses, educational institutions, cultural and sports associations, and is committed to creating a democratic society at the local and national level.
In an era marked by the rise of right-wing extremist parties like Alternative for Germany, the churches' appeal is expected to emphasize the preservation of democracy and human rights, the combating of extremism, the fostering of a united and diverse European community, the protection of civil society, and the responsible remembrance of history to prevent the recurrence of past atrocities[2][3][4].
- The joint appeal by German churches emphasizes the need for a strong and united European Union, citing its role in addressing current challenges, protecting freedom, community, and prosperity.
- Warnings have been issued by German churches against political forces promoting volatile nationalism, rejecting coexistence among people of different nationalities or origins, and advocating for the abolition of the European Union.
- The European Union, according to the churches, is based on values and principles shaped by Christianity and has brought transnational stability, democracy, and prosperity to member countries.
- In local elections in Saxony-Anhalt on the same day, the churches are part of an alliance that urges participation, advocating for voters to choose people who stand for unity in communities and Europe, emphasizing the preservation of democracy, human rights, and the combating of extremism.
