Churches in Lower Saxony are protesting the use of their buildings in campaign materials by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, stating that it was done without permission and does not reflect their values.

Several church congregations in Lower Saxony have expressed strong opposition to the use of images of their buildings on election posters by the AfD party as part of its campaign for local elections. Church representatives emphasized that the association of their institutions with the party’s messaging was unauthorized and incompatible with their principles.

The Evangelical Church District of Bramsche was among those to publicly criticize the move, highlighting that the AfD’s political stance does not align with Christian beliefs. A spokesperson for the district clarified that the inclusion of church buildings on campaign materials was not coordinated and reaffirmed the church’s commitment to democracy and human dignity, referencing prior declarations distancing themselves from the party.

AfD officials defended the choice to feature local churches in their promotional posters, claiming the intent was to establish connections to the community and showcase regional landmarks, comparing the imagery to that of other local buildings such as town halls or mills. However, democratic researchers noted that such use of religious symbols could unintentionally pressure churches into public stances, amplifying the party’s visibility despite the opposition. Instances of similar tactics have been observed in other regions, though these appear isolated rather than widespread.