The first-ever victory of the far-right AfD comes in a context of growing divisions between how people in the east and the west of the country perceive society.

The Evangelical Alliances in Sweden, Austria, Germany and Spain offer resources to give reasons to vote for the European Parliament, on 6-9 June.

Reinhardt Schink of the Evangelical Alliance says “forms of church can be adapted” but warns against decisions that strengthen individualism and “weaken the community of believers”.

Reactions from evangelical Christians in France, UK, Spain, Germany, and the European Evangelical Alliance.

In Germany, the possession and cultivation of cannabis could soon be exempt from punishment. Yet it is not a harmless stimulant - and endangers young people in particular, say experts.

“We do not see it as an attack on religious freedom”, said the German Evangelical Alliance. Minister of State for Culture propose to cover the Bible verse with “reflecting texts”.

Country's population increased by 843,000 people in 6 months, reaching 84 million. German evangelicals continue to actively help Ukrainian refugees.

Christians agree that “suicide should not be seen as a normal form of dying in society”. A new law is expected before the end of 2022.

Assisted suicide is being discussed in the Parliament. “If assisted suicide became normal, that would have consequences”, MPs say. Christians support the proposal.

The evangelical body warns that “everyone must take responsibility for their decisions”. Maintaining unity in the churches is a matter of addressing the Covid-19 debates with “spiritual sobriety”.

“Abortion should never be a human right”, one speaker said. Counter-protests organised by far-left groups tried to disrupt the march in both countries.

The German Evangelical Alliance reacts to antisemitic attacks observed in some pro-Palestinian protests. The Interior Minister vows to combat religious-motivated attacks with “the full force of the law”.

“We clearly reject conspiracy theories and behaviours that lack solidarity”, a statement signed by free churches and the Evangelical Alliance says in response to the Covid-19 situation.

The German Evangelical Alliance joins the Protestant Church and others in an appeal to the German government. More refugee families should be welcomed and more “neutral spaces of discussion” provided.

A letter sent to all political parties asks politicians to resist the pressure of the “prostitution lobby”. In times of Covid-19, authorities should protect vulnerable women and implement the “Nordic model”.

The German Evangelical Alliance had previously said that “the planned law is not coherent with its assumptions. We advocate for freedom of choice”.

The Constitution “includes a right to a self-determined death”, the court says. Protestant and Catholic leaders issued a joint statement lamenting the decision.

The leader of the German Evangelical Alliance says the lack of humanity in returning Christian converts to Islamist countries harms Germany’s own value system.  

Catholics, evangelicals and members of other faiths attended the march. “Christians should stand up for those who are weakest and have no voice”. Police had to protect the event from a violent counter-demonstration.

The German government plans to ban so-called ‘conversion therapies’. Reinhardt Schink, Secretary General of the German Evangelical Alliance, says the law proposal is “neither coherent with its assumptions, nor consistent in its approach”.

According to the IOM, 60,309 migrants and refugees have entered Europe by sea in 2018. “I think that Spain reacted in a very positive way. But it cannot go on this way”, the EU Immigration Commission said.

“Our well-being in Europe is a God-given gift - it obliges us to offer ourselves to help and share”, the German Evangelical Alliance says.

The German Evangelical Alliance issues a guide for the national election and encourages churches to “seek direct dialogue” with candidates.

The German Evangelical Alliance describes the Protestant State Church’s support for gay marriage as “catastrophic.” The law was passed despite the opposition of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

German Christian leaders express their support for the families of the victims. Evangelicals in Europe call to pray for the authorities.