Kohl files: Steinmeier appoints judge, BGH approves controversial acquittal!

Kohl files: Steinmeier appoints judge, BGH approves controversial acquittal!

It is worth taking a look at the current events in politics and jurisprudence today, October 8, 2025. Among the explosive topics, the Kohl case stands out, which continues to preoccupy people. The Federal Chancellery is not obliged to retrieve the files that former Chancellor Helmut Kohl took with him without permission. In this context, the Federal Constitutional Court reported that journalist Gaby Weber two's constitutional complaint was also not substantiated. She demanded that the Chancellery must retrieve these files. From a historical perspective, this legal dispute is part of a complex dispute between data protection and freedom of information, which took place over several years and judgments and which ultimately led to the change in the Stasi Records Act. Wikipedia describes the decisive turns in this story that shaped the relationship between Kohl and the Federal Republic of Germany.

In addition, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed three new constitutional judges today. The new members – Ann-Katrin Kaufhold, Sigrid Emmenegger and Günter Spinner – will play an important role in deciding fundamental constitutional questions in the future. However, the discussion about the election of constitutional judges and the associated legitimacy problems remains a sensitive topic in political discussion.

Election of judges in the Federal Council

An interesting facet of the election of judges opens up through the role of the Federal Council, which elects half of the judges of the Federal Constitutional Court in accordance with Article 94 Paragraph 1 of the Basic Law. The Federal Council has extensive participation rights, including in other important offices. For example, the appointment of the Federal Prosecutor General and the federal prosecutors always takes place with the consent of the Federal Council. This ensures that the legislature is involved in filling key positions in the judiciary, as can be found on the official website of the Bundesrat.

Speaking of justice: The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has also dealt with an explosive judgment and confirmed the acquittal of Peter St., the former leader of a skinhead collective, in a case of arson attacks on an asylum home in 1991. This raises questions about the relevance of perpetrator backgrounds and social responsibility.

Current developments in the legal system

There are currently many exciting topics not only in the political scene, but also in the judiciary. The BGH is examining an appeal in connection with mask deals, where the federal government lost against suppliers. The Bavarian state government is also planning to expand the police duties law to include drone verification. This is in the context of discussed changes to defend against drones, as can be read in a current report by the FAZ.

Another notable point is the ongoing debate about planned chat controls at EU level. There are warning voices from politicians and various associations who warn against over-regulation. It remains to be seen how this discussion will develop. The OVG North Rhine-Westphalia is already causing a stir in the region because it decided that Savannah cats cannot be kept in residential areas. Such judgments show how variable and often controversial legal issues are handled in Germany.

Overall, it shows that the year 2025 already presents a number of challenges for German politics and justice that are worth taking a look at.