Workers will now be safeguarded from radiation-associated risks due to the Commission's adoption of a directive on ionising radiation protection.
German Constitutional Court Election Postponed Amidst Controversy
The election of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as a judge for the Federal Constitutional Court in Germany has been postponed due to significant opposition from the center-right CDU/CSU faction [2][3][4]. The required two-thirds majority vote was not attainable, making the parliamentary election impossible at this time.
Brosius-Gersdorf, the SPD's nominated candidate, withdrew her candidacy to preserve the court's integrity and avoid a possible government crisis within the ruling coalition between the SPD and CDU/CSU [1][2]. She cited the CDU’s categorical rejection of her election and the threat such disputes posed to democratic stability as key reasons for her decision.
The controversy surrounding Brosius-Gersdorf's election included political and ideological disagreements, with additional pressure from conservative groups and public debate over her progressive views [1][5]. Plagiarism questions were raised about her dissertation by Stefan Weber shortly before the planned election.
Alexander Schweitzer, Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President and Vice-Chairman of the Federal SPD, called for better cooperation within the coalition, expressing hope that everyone involved has the success of the federal government in mind [6]. SPD faction leader Matthias Miersch wrote that the CDU and CSU must commit to the rules of governance, stating that the Union's actions call into question the foundation of democratic cooperation [7].
Ines Schwerdtner, leader of the Left party, criticized the events surrounding Brosius-Gersdorf as a poor showing for the federal government. She demands a right of proposal and a seat at the table for her party for future judge elections in the Bundestag [8]. Ralf Stegner, SPD Bundestag member, called Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal a victory for the far-right and criticized the Union for their handling of the situation [9].
The coalition now faces a new problem: finding the necessary two-thirds majority in the Bundestag for their candidate's election. Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal leaves the SPD in need of additional support to secure the required votes. The Social Democrats are expecting more reliability and loyalty from their coalition partners, the CDU and CSU.
Schweitzer specifically mentioned Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz as someone who should prioritize the success of the federal government. Brosius-Gersdorf announced her withdrawal from candidacy for the Federal Constitutional Court on Thursday. The election for a new candidate will be scheduled at a later date.
The postponement of Brosius-Gersdorf's election for the Federal Constitutional Court has been linked to the policy-and-legislation politics of the CDU/CSU faction, as the required two-thirds majority could not be achieved. The general news, however, now focuses on the search for a new candidate and the need for a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag, as the SPD seeks additional support from its coalition partners to secure the necessary votes.
