Overview

• Julia Klöckner, Bundestagspräsidentin and CDU member, has urged churches to limit engagement in political debates, arguing they risk becoming 'interchangeable NGOs.'
• Her comments, including criticism of church positions on issues like speed limits, have drawn sharp responses from SPD, Greens, and even some CDU figures.
• Critics, such as Armin Laschet and SPD leaders, assert that political engagement has always been central to the church's role, citing historical examples.
• Simultaneously, Klöckner has committed to mediating disputes over the AfD's entitlement to committee roles, emphasizing adherence to parliamentary rules of neutrality.
• The debate underscores broader tensions in Germany about the intersection of religion, politics, and the inclusion of far-right factions in democratic processes.