The failure to elect new judges to the Federal Constitutional Court in Germany on Friday has drawn strong criticism from former Saarland Minister-President and retired Constitutional Court Judge, Peter Müller. In an interview with “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Müller sharply rebuked the outcome, attributing it to a significant lapse in leadership within the largest opposition bloc.
Müller, who served on the court from 2011 to 2023, expressed concern over the diminishing capacity of Germany’s political center to function effectively. While acknowledging that reservations regarding potential judges for Karlsruhe are not unprecedented, he emphasized the prior practice of addressing such concerns before the parliamentary vote. He specifically questioned the strategy of seeking the support of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for a candidate, only to discover a lack of sufficient support within the opposition’s own parliamentary group.
Highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives within the court, Müller stressed that its strength lies in the consideration of a wide range of personalities. He underscored that legal arguments, rather than political considerations, should be the determining factor in deliberations, asserting that those attempting to inject political maneuvering into the process risk losing credibility.
Despite the setback, Müller reassured that the Federal Constitutional Court remains fully operational. The outgoing judges will remain in their roles until their successors are appointed, ensuring continuity of judicial function. He urged a more considered and compromise-oriented approach from the political center as efforts resume to find a mutually acceptable candidate.
