Due to a flawed constitutional court election, the SPD, or Social Democratic Party, now finds itself in a position of increased control over pensions.
In a significant turn of events, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, a candidate for the Federal Constitutional Court, withdrew her nomination on August 7, 2025. This decision has deepened political tensions between the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) coalition partners, raising concerns about the politicization of constitutional court appointments.
Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal came in the face of persistent opposition from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, primarily due to her liberal views on abortion law reform. The CDU/CSU resistance prevented her from securing the two-thirds majority needed for election, causing the postponement of the vote that was originally planned for the summer session of the Bundestag. Brosius-Gersdorf cited the clear rejection from CDU/CSU members and the threat to derail the package agreement for all three pending judicial appointments as reasons for stepping down.
The episode has marked the first major crisis within the coalition government led by CDU Chancellor Friedrich Merz and SPD partner. SPD accused CDU/CSU of breaching implied agreements on judicial appointments, while CDU/CSU members resisted due to ideological differences, particularly on abortion policy. Merz publicly defended Brosius-Gersdorf, expressing hope for a coalition resolution despite the tensions.
The politicization of constitutional court appointments threatens not only the political cooperation within the ruling coalition but might also undermine public confidence in the court's independence and the democratic culture surrounding judicial appointments in Germany.
Meanwhile, the SPD aims to capitalize on this situation, positioning itself as the loud advocate of pension and welfare policies in the fall. The party's wish list includes tax-financed pension stability until 2031 and full mother's pension for older cohorts. Labour Minister Bärbel Bas has moderated debates on longer working hours, deeming them a "phony debate". Matthias Miersch, SPD Fraktion chief, believes there was an "orchestrated campaign" by the Union.
On the other hand, CDU Economics Minister Katherina Reiche suggested extending the retirement age to 70, a proposal that has been met with criticism within her own party. Chancellor Merz personally has a 32% approval rating, with two-thirds rejecting him. Only 29% are satisfied with the work of the federal government, according to the latest ARD Germany Trend poll, with 69% being dissatisfied. Katherina Reiche's actions may have created a potential issue for her own party.
This political turmoil underscores ideological divisions within the German government, strains SPD-CDU/CSU relations, and spotlights challenges in maintaining the nonpartisan nature of constitutional court appointments amid politically and socially sensitive issues.
[1] "Brosius-Gersdorf zieht ihre Kandidatur für den Bundesverfassungsgericht zurück" (Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf withdraws her candidacy for the Federal Constitutional Court). Tagesspiegel, 8 August 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/brosius-gersdorf-zieht-ihr-kandidatur-fuer-den-bundesverfassungsgericht-zurueck/27296380.html
[2] "Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal deepens political tensions in Germany" (Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal deepens political tensions in Germany). Deutsche Welle, 8 August 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.dw.com/en/brosius-gersdorf-withdrawal-deepens-political-tensions-in-germany/a-61226127
[3] "Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal: A crisis for the coalition government" (Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal: A crisis for the coalition government). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 8 August 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/deutschland/brosius-gersdorf-zuruecktreten-eine-krise-fuer-die-koalition-regierung-17342549.html
[4] "Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal: The end of the coalition?" (Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal: The end of the coalition?). Süddeutsche Zeitung, 8 August 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/brosius-gersdorf-zuruecktreten-das-ende-der-koalition-1.5905814
[5] "Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal: A threat to the independence of the Federal Constitutional Court" (Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf withdrawal: A threat to the independence of the Federal Constitutional Court). Focus, 8 August 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/brosius-gersdorf-zuruecktreten-eine-bedrohung-fuer-die-unabhaengigkeit-des-bundesverfassungsgerichts-102228084.html
- The withdrawal of Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy for the Federal Constitutional Court has led to a debate about policy-and-legislation, particularly concerning economic and social policy, and the potential politicization of such appointments.
- The fallout from Brosius-Gersdorf's stepped-down nomination has escalated into a general news topic, highlighting ideological rifts within the coalition government, with SPD and CDU/CSU trading accusations and intensifying tensions.
