Presidential hopeful for OVG steps down following controversy over top-tier posts.
Tit: A Political Blow as OVG Candidacy Withdrawn - New Challenges for the State Government
Pub Date: 05.06.2025, 13:49
Author: Christoph Ullrich
In a surprising turn of events, Katarina Jestaedt, a favorite for the presidency of the Higher Administrative Court (OVG), has stepped down from the race, according to reports from various media outlets, including our own. Rumors suggest that she's landed a job in Berlin at the Federal Ministry of Education, leaving the state government in a scramble for explanations.
Once a frontrunner for the OVG position, Jestaedt's dream of being a court president has hit a snag. Initially chosen in the reopened appointment procedure in late 2022, she faced competition with more experienced candidates, leading to complaints and revelations of procedural irregularities. A parliamentary investigative committee later discovered a serious error, forcing the process to be restarted.
OVG Appointment Fiasco: Committee Hears (Tentative) Final Witnesses
Scandal in Investigative Committee on OVG Appointment
Since then, the OVG position has remained unfilled. However, recent whispers indicate that Jestaedt will not be appointed to the position, with allegations pointing towards her taking on a new role as department head at the Federal Ministry of Education. Reports from the "Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" and the "Kölnische Rundschau" also suggest that Jestaedt has withdrawn from the application process and moved to Berlin.
The Aftermath
While these reports are not yet official, the lack of comment from the NRW Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice leaves room for speculation. The Justice Ministry denies any changes to the pool of candidates for the high-ranking judicial position. However, rumors suggest they have already been informed about Jestaedt's move.
This development is expected to further complicate matters for the state government. The withdrawal leaves two candidates battling for the position, one of whom is nearing the age limit for a high judicial position, and the other who holds strong accusations against Minister of Justice Limbach (Greens) of dishonesty during the investigative committee.
Where it Stands - OVG Appointment Investigation Committee (AUDIO)
Political Reactions
SPD's Nadja Lüders sums up the situation: "This is a mess." FDP colleague Werner Pfeil, a part of the investigative committee, calls the situation a "disaster." Both factions plan to convene a special meeting of the Legal Committee in mid-June.
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Note: Due to the ongoing nature of the OVG presidency appointment events, official confirmation regarding Katarina Jestaedt's move and the status of the position is yet to be determined.
- Given the recent reports, the policy-and-legislation landscape in NRW may face significant shifts as Katarina Jestaedt's withdrawal from the OVG candidacy leaves the state government navigating new challenges.
- The politics surrounding the Higher Administrative Court (OVG) presidency have taken an unexpected turn with the general-news of Katarina Jestaedt's withdrawal and her potential move to the Federal Ministry of Education, adding complexity to the ongoing process.
