Right-wing opposition gains momentum against the second SPD candidate
In recent days, Ann-Katrin Kaufhold, the SPD's nominee for Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, has faced a barrage of criticism from the AfD, right-wing media, and parts of the Catholic Church. The main reasons for these attacks are Kaufhold's progressive stances on issues such as abortion, mandatory vaccination, and efforts to ban the AfD party.
The AfD, in a statement on social media, called for stopping Kaufhold, following the withdrawal of their previous nominee, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf. Right-wing publication "Junge Freiheit" declared that the withdrawal of Brosius-Gersdorf could only be the beginning, and time for Kaufhold to be "taken down". AfD Bundestag member Stephan Brandner labelled Kaufhold as "intolerable" and "highly dangerous" in a video, while the party's parliamentary vice-president, Sebastian Münzenmaier, tweeted that the pressure from the right was working and that Kaufhold should realise she is not acceptable as the top judge.
The attacks on Kaufhold appear to be part of a broader political strategy aimed at discrediting candidates nominated by the SPD for the Federal Constitutional Court and preventing their appointment. The AfD and right-wing media campaigns aim to portray Kaufhold as too left-leaning and politically compromised to serve on the Court, hoping to prevent her confirmation or even alter the appointment rules to allow a governing majority to make unilateral decisions.
Allegations such as plagiarism, similar to those faced by Brosius-Gersdorf, and other personal accusations have been employed to undermine Kaufhold's credibility. Right-wing media outlets have also participated in framing Kaufhold as a radical figure, amplifying false claims such as those about abortion limits and political bias.
Parts of the Catholic Church also seem critical, given the context of Kaufhold's abortion and vaccination stances, which clash with traditional church positions.
In response, Kaufhold and her supporters have fought back against these attacks, emphasising their legal and academic credentials and pushing forward the appointment process despite opposition. The SPD and allied parties aim to secure sufficient votes before public resistance grows, while discussions about possible reforms of the appointment rules continue.
Despite the political pressures, Kaufhold remains active academically and publicly. She is currently involved in lecture series on bureaucratic systems and democracy, indicating ongoing professional engagement.
[1] [Link to Source 1] [2] [Link to Source 2] [3] [Link to Source 3] [4] [Link to Source 4]
- The AfD and right-wing media, such as "Junge Freiheit," are using war-and-conflicts tactics in their campaigns against Ann-Katrin Kaufhold, a SPD nominee for Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, by portraying her as politically compromised and too left-leaning, hoping to discredit her and prevent her confirmation.
- General-news outlets, including parts of the Catholic Church, have joined in the criticism of Kaufhold, specifically targeting her stances on issues like abortion and mandatory vaccination, which they argue are against traditional values, thus contributing to the wider conflict surrounding her appointment.
