Former Prime Minister Criticizes CDU Leadership Over Failed Judge Elections

In a recent turn of events, Peter Müller, a prominent figure in the CDU and former Minister-President of Saarland, has voiced strong criticism regarding the failure to elect new judges to Germany's Federal Constitutional Court. This incident has raised significant concerns about the leadership capabilities within the Union party.

Müller, who served as a judge in Karlsruhe prior to his political career, expressed his dismay over the situation, stating that such failures are unacceptable. He attributed the mishap to Jens Spahn, the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, emphasizing that the incident reflects a severe lapse in leadership.

During an interview, Müller articulated his worries about the diminishing effectiveness of the political center in Germany. He noted that while reservations surrounding candidate nominations are not new, the failure to address these issues before the voting process is concerning. He criticized the decision to agree with the SPD to support a candidate only to find that the necessary majority was absent within their own ranks.

Müller underscored the importance of diversity among the personalities within the Federal Constitutional Court, stating that the court thrives on varied perspectives and sound legal arguments rather than political maneuvering. He indicated that the current situation demonstrates a growing inability within the political center to tolerate differing opinions.

On the day of the failed vote, the Bundestag was set to discuss the appointment of three new judges to the court. However, the CDU/CSU group unexpectedly called for the withdrawal of the SPD's candidate, citing allegations of plagiarism. After lengthy discussions between the coalition partners, the planned elections were ultimately removed from the agenda.

Concerns were raised regarding the liberal views of the SPD candidate, particularly her stance on abortion and her previous calls for a vaccination mandate during the pandemic. The opposition to her nomination was further complicated by allegations related to her academic work, though the source of these claims did not explicitly label them as plagiarism.

In addition to the candidate in question, the SPD had also nominated another jurist, while the Union had put forward a candidate recommended by the court itself. Müller reiterated the need for careful negotiation to arrive at a compromise that would be acceptable to all parties involved.

Despite the setbacks, Müller affirmed that the Federal Constitutional Court remains functional, as the current judges will continue in their roles until their successors are appointed. He urged the political center to act judiciously as they seek to resolve this impasse.

Looking ahead, it is anticipated that another attempt to elect the judges will take place after the summer recess of the Bundestag in September. Reports suggest that the SPD is keen to avoid prolonged uncertainty for its candidate, with discussions leaning towards a special session of the Bundestag prior to the regular session.