The German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) faces a renewed effort to fill vacant judge positions, following the nomination of Sigrid Emmenegger by the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The German Federal Judges’ Association (DRB) has urged parliamentary groups to swiftly conclude the election process.
“It is to be hoped that all parties are aware of their high responsibility in the second attempt and that the Bundestag will promptly decide on the pending appointments to the Federal Constitutional Court” stated DRB Federal Managing Director Sven Rebehn to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers.
The previous attempt to elect a judge, the jurist Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, failed in July, a situation that the DRB believes has eroded public trust. The association emphasized the importance of a structured and dignified procedure reflective of the court’s standing and significance, a sentiment shared by the broader public.
A two-thirds majority is required in the Bundestag to elect judges, meaning Emmenegger will need support beyond the ruling coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD. This necessitates securing votes from parties such as the Green Party and the Left Party, or alternatively, from the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Opposition parties have indicated they will review Emmenegger’s candidacy. The Green Party and the Left Party have voiced criticism concerning their exclusion from prior consultations.
The failure of the previous vote, which saw the withdrawal of support for Professor Brosius-Gersdorf by the Union factions just hours before the election, has underscored the need for a swift and decisive resolution.
