Criticism of Protestant church FPÖ candidate

The Austrian presidential candidate of the right-wing populist Freedom Party does not need to rely on the support of the Protestant church.

'God can not be used as a tool to implement your own ideas or for political purposes,' the church said in a statement. 'We do not interfere with party politics, but if Christian principles are violated, we must take a stand,' Thomas added Hennefeld of the Protestant Church added. 'We stand for a biblical understanding of God, a universal God who is there for the weak, the strangers, the refugees. The opposite of where the Freedom Party stands for. '

It does not appear that the FPÖ will lie awake criticism. Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache stressed that the phrase 'so help me God' is also part of the oath that makes a new president.