A candidate for a position on Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, has publicly defended herself against criticism leveled against her candidacy. In a statement released on Tuesday, Brosius-Gersdorf asserted that media coverage surrounding her and her viewpoints had been inaccurate, incomplete, subjective and lacked transparency, alleging an intention to obstruct her selection.
She strongly refuted labels such as “ultra-left” and “left-wing radical” characterizing them as defamatory and unrealistic. Brosius-Gersdorf also criticized the reliance on anonymous sources, particularly referencing claims that a Justice Minister was among those providing information.
The statement emphasized that an assessment of her academic work reveals a perspective rooted in the “democratic center”. She argued that one-sided classifications and accusations are factually unfounded, stemming from a selective and incomplete presentation of individual topics and theses, often taken out of context to create a distorted image.
The Left faction within the Bundestag welcomed Brosius-Gersdorf’s defense. Clara Bünger, the group’s interior policy spokesperson, stated in a communication with “Welt” newspaper, that the published statement comprehensively addresses the points utilized in a “unprecedented campaign of harassment” against the candidate. Bünger suggested that a more thorough examination of Brosius-Gersdorf’s positions might have led to the appointment of a highly qualified and independent judge.
Conversely, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) issued a sharp rebuke, suggesting that the controversy involving Brosius-Gersdorf and another candidate, Eva Kaufhold, demonstrated significant political challenges. AfD’s legal policy spokesperson, Stephan Brandner, described the candidate’s efforts to discredit critics as akin to “a drowning person flailing wildly”. He characterized her positions as “clearly left-wing ideological to unconstitutional” and dismissed attempts at reinterpretation. Brandner also criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) for seemingly demonstrating acceptance of what he described as the candidate’s “life-hostile ideology”. He expressed concerns that the candidate might be “made acceptable” during the summer recess to facilitate her formal approval by the government in the autumn.
