SPD shaken by the departure of Brosius-Gersdorf
Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, the SPD's proposed candidate for the Federal Constitutional Court, has withdrawn her candidacy, citing intense opposition from members of the centre-right CDU/CSU parliamentary faction as the primary reason.
Brosius-Gersdorf, a progressive law professor, had been an outspoken advocate for banning the far-right AfD party and supported late-term abortion rights. These positions fueled criticism, especially from conservative CDU/CSU members and pro-family groups.
Despite initial approval within the Bundestag's Judicial Election Committee and public defence from CDU/CSU leaders, including faction leader Jens Spahn and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, dissent grew within the CDU/CSU ranks, leading to a postponement of her election.
The controversy caused significant unrest within the SPD, with members expressing frustration over what some termed a smear campaign aimed at undermining Brosius-Gersdorf. CDU faction leader Jens Spahn attempted to downplay criticisms of the dissenting CDU members by framing their objections in terms of conscientious life-protection arguments.
The incident strained the mood in the coalition of Union and SPD, with SPD members calling for a clear statement against the right. Ralf Stegner, SPD foreign policy expert, described the withdrawal as a defeat for democratic parties. SPD youth leader Philipp Türmer questioned Jens Spahn's position as Union faction leader, suggesting that the SPD should stop working with Jens Spahn due to his alleged lack of authority.
Matthias Miersch, the SPD faction leader, called for more reliability from the coalition partners CDU and CSU after Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal. He also called on the CDU/CSU to commit to clear rules of governance and criticized them for "wasting trust in democracy."
The appointment of three judges to the Federal Constitutional Court failed on July 11 due to the Union faction's refusal to agree to Brosius-Gersdorf's election. The SPD regretted her decision and announced a new proposal. Türmer also suggested that the SPD should exclude Saskia Ludwig, a Brandenburg CDU MP, from the parliamentary group as a sign against the right.
In summary, Brosius-Gersdorf withdrew to preserve coalition stability amid fierce CDU opposition rooted in her progressive legal stance and the broader political tensions involving the far-right AfD. The incident has strained the mood in the coalition of Union and SPD, with both sides calling for clear statements and commitments to democratic principles.
- In light of the intense opposition from the CDU/CSU, particularly due to her support for policy-and-legislation such as banning the far-right AfD and advocating for late-term abortion rights, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal from the Federal Constitutional Court candidacy was a significant event in German politics.
- The controversy surrounding Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal has brought general-news attention to the need for cooperation between EC countries, especially in matters of policy-and-legislation, and cooperation with developing countries, as it highlights the broader political tensions and the importance of democratic principles.
