Overview

• Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, vice chair of the AfD’s state parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt and a deputy state party leader, issued the attack in a public statement.
• He said anyone who criticizes a clear divide between truth and error is “no apostle of Jesus Christ” and is “sent by the devil.”
• Tillschneider cited 2 Corinthians, invoking the line that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
• Bätzing, who chairs the German Bishops’ Conference, had urged voters not to back the AfD and called the party divisive ahead of the bishops’ autumn plenary in Fulda.
• Accusing Bätzing of disparaging about a quarter of voters, Tillschneider also charged that the churches cannot revive faith needed for a “national renaissance,” underscoring the ongoing Church–AfD confrontation.