THE GUARDIAN
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| Bavarian premier Markus Söder has said the cross should not be viewed as a religious symbol, rather as a cultural one central to Bavarian identity. Photograph: Peter Kneffel/AFP/Getty Images |
Bavaria is bracing itself for the introduction of a new law under which Christian crosses will have to hang in the entrance of all public buildings. Despite opposition from prominent members of the Catholic church and leading theologians, the law will come into effect in the southern German state on Friday. Under the auspices of the state premier, Markus Söder of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Kreuzpflicht or “crucifix obligation” was brought in to reinforce Bavarian identity after a surge in Muslim immigration. Bavaria was on the frontline of the refugee crisis in 2015. According to a recent poll by Infratest dimap, 56% of Bavarians are in favour of the cross ruling, while 38% are against it. [
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