Following the state cabinet’s decision to appoint Carsten Günther as the future president of the Higher Administrative Court, Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach (Green Party) has adopted a conciliatory tone regarding the appointment, particularly in light of accusations Günther previously made against him.
“I will work openly and confidently with the future president of the Higher Administrative Court. I have said that before, regarding every applicant in this process. That is part of a professional way of interacting” Limbach told the “Rheinische Post” newspaper. He further emphasized the importance of focusing forward, stating, “It is now about positioning the administrative courts and the judiciary for the future.
Carsten Günther echoed this sentiment in his own comments to the “Rheinische Post”. “The Minister has said in the Legal Committee that he can work confidently with every candidate. The same applies to me. We owe that to the citizens and to the employees in the administrative justice system” he stated. “The office of the president of the Higher Administrative Court is an important public task. It’s good that the long-standing vacancy is now coming to an end.
The appointment follows a period of legal dispute where Günther had formally accused Justice Minister Limbach (Green Party) of making false statements and raised suspicions of unauthorized coordination within the governing coalition concerning the selection process.
