Resistance to SPD candidate: Will Brosius-Gersdorf be elected?

Resistance to SPD candidate: Will Brosius-Gersdorf be elected?

The political stage in Berlin next week will be dominated by the election of three constitutional judges. As the taz reported, the Bundestag expects to elect the new judges of the Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG). At the center of the discussion is the SPD candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf. Her nomination caused strong resistance, especially from the ranks of the CDU/CSU.

Brosius-Gersdorf is proposed by the Social Democrats for one of the two vacant judge positions. There is already considerable resistance from the Union. In particular, her views on issues such as abortion and possible decriminalization have made many CDUs skeptical. This is further supported by radical abortion opponents who are mobilizing against her candidacy, while Brosius-Gersdorf herself is a respected law professor.

Political tensions and resistance

The situation is tense because the election of the candidates requires a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag. The political groups must work together so that the vote produces a positive result. The Union proposes Günter Spinner, a well-known judge, as an opposing candidate. The result of the vote is also uncertain, as the FDP has no longer been represented since the last federal election and the Left is still waiting for the Union to offer talks. The exclusion of the AfD as a potential majority source could make the decision on the nominations even more difficult.

Another explosive question is the role of constitutional judges in political discourse. Critics fear how NZZ shows that if the judges are too politically influenced, the reputation of the BVerfG could be undermined. Such concerns are particularly pronounced with regard to Brosius-Gersdorf's left-wing beliefs.

The court structure and the upcoming elections

The new appointment was urgently needed because Josef Christ, judge at the First Senate, has exceeded the age limit. The Union faction initially relied on Robert Seegmüller, but his proposal failed due to the veto of the Greens. Other candidates such as Eva Menges and Oliver Klein from the Federal Court of Justice were also brought into play, but with little response. The daily news noted that Thursday's vote represents a hot potato for everyone involved. In addition to the search for a suitable new President of the BVerfG, further replacements are necessary.

The lack of clarity regarding Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy and the reactions to it show how strongly political beliefs can be polarized even within a constitutional court. It remains to be seen whether the factions can overcome their differences to reach an agreement.