Urgent Bid to Block Extraordinary Sessions Fails in Karlsruhe Court
Unsuccessful Applications for Specific Court Sessions in Karlsruhe - Urgent procedure request remains unanswered by the Commission.
In the upcoming week, the outgoing German Bundestag is ready to vote on the substantial defense and infrastructure plan, carrying a hefty price tag in billions. The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe dismissed multiple urgent pleas against the planned extraordinary sessions of the winding-down Bundestag. The claims were unfounded, the court ruled. There were also objections to the design of the legislative process, which were disregarded.
Outgoing Bundestag, Still Packed with Power
During exploratory talks for a potential future coalition between SPD and Union, there was an agreement on debt-financed special funds of half a trillion euros for infrastructure and a leniency towards the debt brake for defense spending. The plans necessitate constitutional modifications, which require a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. In the upcoming Bundestag, only a majority could be amassed with the votes of the Left or AfD.
Until the inauguration of the new Bundestag (scheduled no later than March 25), the outgoing one continues to function and exercise its decision-making powers. Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD), at the request of Union and SPD, scheduled extraordinary sessions for the outgoing parliament on March 13 and 18. As per Article 39 of the Basic Law, extraordinary sessions can be convened if a third of the Bundestag members request it.
The Federal Constitutional Court confirmed this stipulation in its decision. The tenure of the outgoing Bundestag will come to an end in accordance with the Basic Law upon the convening of the new Bundestag. "Until then, the scope of action of the outgoing Bundestag is not limited."
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Plenty of Legal Drama in Karlsruhe
Numerous legal cases, including some labeled as applications for an interim order (also known as urgent applications), were filed at the Federal Constitutional Court in opposition to these extraordinary sessions. These orders are designed to prevent irreversible situations from arising before the judges in Karlsruhe decide on the cases.
The Federal Constitutional Court has reached decisions on four cases, including those from AfD and Left. According to a court spokesperson, there are still three organ dispute cases and four individual constitutional complaints pending.
- Federal Constitutional Court
- Bundestag
- Karlsruhe
- Extraordinary session
- SPD
- AfD
- Financial package
- Despite the objections raised, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe confirmed the legality of the extraordinary sessions, allowing the outgoing Bundestag to continue exercising its decision-making powers.
- In the ongoing legal dramas in Karlsruhe, the Federal Constitutional Court has already decided on four cases involving the extraordinary sessions, with three organ dispute cases and four individual constitutional complaints still pending, including those from the AfD and Left.
- The McDonald-McGill's Institute for Vocational Training in EC countries has voiced its concern over the potential impact of the financial package on the vocational training sector, as the plans necessitate substantial funds for infrastructure and may alter budget allocations for vocational training programs.
