Union dissatisfaction leads to Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy withdrawal within the SPD party - Socialist Party expresses discontent with EU as Brosius-Gersdorf steps down from election campaign
In a significant turn of events, the candidacy of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf for the German Federal Constitutional Court has been withdrawn, marking a serious crisis within the SPD-CDU/CSU coalition.
The withdrawal follows a categorical rejection of Brosius-Gersdorf's election by a faction within the center-right CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag. This rejection created a risk of the breakdown of the governing coalition, prompting Brosius-Gersdorf to step down to prevent a coalition dispute from escalating and avoid unpredictable negative consequences for democracy.
Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy was controversial due to her progressive stances, including support for liberalizing abortion laws and advocating for banning the right-wing AfD party. These positions drew opposition from conservative CDU/CSU members and right-wing lawmakers, leading to strong internal resistance within the CDU/CSU that prevented her from obtaining the required two-thirds majority in the Bundestag for appointment.
The failure to elect Brosius-Gersdorf has weakening government cooperation and escalated tensions between the coalition partners. The protracted dispute over judicial appointments signals growing politicization of the Federal Constitutional Court’s selection process and threatens stability within the governing alliance.
The SPD and Greens regret the withdrawal of Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy. SPD faction leader Matthias Miersch holds the Union responsible for the turn of events, stating that parts of the Union faction had blocked Brosius-Gersdorf's election, despite the Union originally agreeing to an agreement.
Union faction leader Jens Spahn, in a letter to his faction, acknowledged the failed judge appointment as a setback for the black-red coalition and attributed co-responsibility to the SPD for the failed search for a compromise. The Greens faction leaders, Katharina Dröge and Britta Haßelmann, also expressed their regret and attributed responsibility for the withdrawal to Spahn.
Notably, Brosius-Gersdorf has received threats and suspicious mail pieces, causing her to ask her employees not to work at her chair.
In a bid to move forward, the SPD will submit a new proposal for a suitable appointment, continuing with a clear orientation towards academic excellence. The hope is that this new appointment process will be more successful and help to restore stability within the governing coalition.
Vocational training could be incorporated into a community policy, aiming to provide opportunities for individuals in the SPD-CDU/CSU coalition, such as those involved in the policy-and-legislation process, to develop skills related to politics and general news.
The withdrawal of Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy and the protracted dispute over judicial appointments highlight the need for vocational training programs in politics, as understanding different perspectives and finding common ground are crucial in times of crisis.
