Bundestag Successfully Elects New Constitutional Judges in Second Attempt

The Bundestag has successfully elected three new judges to the Federal Constitutional Court after a previous attempt in July ended in failure. This time, the election proceeded smoothly, with the candidates receiving the necessary two-thirds majority required for their appointment.

On September 25, 2025, Bundestag Vice President Andrea Lindholz announced that the nominees from the SPD, Sigrid Emmenegger and Ann-Katrin Kaufhold, along with Union candidate Günter Spinner, were elected through a secret ballot. Each candidate secured the support of over 400 votes out of the 613 cast.

The final vote count revealed that Emmenegger received 446 votes in favor, while Kaufhold garnered 440, and Spinner obtained 424. Each of these candidates surpassed the threshold of 409 votes, which constituted the required two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

Following the tumultuous events of the previous election attempt, in which a last-minute withdrawal of support from the Union party led to the cancelation of the vote, the successful election of these judges marks a significant achievement for the ruling coalition. The new judges will serve a term of twelve years in Karlsruhe.

The voting process took place amid ongoing discussions in the Bundestag concerning the budget for the Ministry of Research and Technology. While the election was conducted, the regular parliamentary session continued. This time, the election was held in a single round, allowing all three candidates to be voted on simultaneously, which contributed to the efficiency of the process.

The election of constitutional judges is a critical function of the Bundestag, ensuring that the highest court in Germany is staffed with qualified individuals who uphold the principles of the constitution. The new appointments are expected to enhance the court's capability to address constitutional matters effectively.

In contrast to the previous attempt, where significant tensions arose within the coalition, this election was characterized by a more unified approach among the parliamentary groups. The SPD's choice of Emmenegger, who comes from the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, has been particularly well-received.

The success of this election is seen as a relief for the coalition government, which was facing scrutiny over its internal cohesion and decision-making processes. As the session resumed after the voting, the focus shifted back to discussions on the national budget, which remains a pivotal issue for the administration.