The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has expressed strong support for Sigrid Emmenegger, the Social Democratic Party’s (SPD) nominee for a judge position at the Federal Constitutional Court. CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn praised Emmenegger as an “excellent candidate” during a press briefing in Berlin on Monday, preceding a parliamentary group meeting.
Spahn indicated that CDU members had personally assessed Emmenegger’s suitability and actively promoted her candidacy within various CDU committees, encountering significant backing in the process. He voiced optimism that the upcoming elections for the court positions will proceed smoothly, a contrast to previous attempts.
Earlier this year, an initial effort to fill three judgeships at the court in Karlsruhe faltered as the CDU unexpectedly withdrew support for SPD candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf just before the summer recess. The SPD subsequently accused the CDU of failing to honor commitments and being swayed by external pressure.
Electing judges to the Federal Constitutional Court requires a two-thirds majority. This necessitates the coalition’s reliance on the Green Party and the Left Party, avoiding the need to collaborate with the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The Green Party has consistently voiced concerns regarding a lack of involvement in the selection process for the judicial appointments.
