Ricarda Lang Leverages TikTok to Advocate for Abortion Rights Ahead of Judicial Vote

In a bid to promote her support for abortion rights, Green Party member Ricarda Lang has utilized a trending TikTok challenge to draw attention to the upcoming judicial election. The focus is on SPD candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, who has faced significant backlash from the Union due to her liberal stance on abortion.

Lang joined the viral TikTok trend known as the Bacon-Avocado challenge, where participants quickly say 'bacon avocado' before delivering a more critical message in slow motion. In her TikTok video, Lang emphasized, 'Abortion should not be in the Penal Code.' This creative approach aims to reach a younger demographic that is increasingly engaging with political issues.

With approximately 50,000 followers on TikTok and 189,000 on Instagram, Lang's presence on social media is significant. She recognizes that complex political topics, such as the election of new judges to the Federal Constitutional Court, can often feel distant for younger voters. By leveraging popular trends, she seeks to make these subjects more relatable and accessible.

The judicial election, scheduled for July 11, has been mired in controversy. Tensions escalated between the Union and the SPD, leading to the cancellation of the vote. The CDU/CSU has expressed strong reservations about Brosius-Gersdorf, particularly regarding her views on abortion rights. According to Brosius-Gersdorf, the full guarantee of human dignity should only apply after birth, a perspective that contradicts previous rulings by the Federal Constitutional Court.

The debate surrounding abortion in Germany is ongoing, with current laws under Paragraph 218 of the Penal Code classifying abortion as illegal. However, it allows for abortions within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy if the woman has undergone counseling. Recent discussions have focused on reforming these laws to remove abortion from the Penal Code altogether.

As the political landscape evolves, the implications of Brosius-Gersdorf's potential appointment as a judge could have far-reaching effects on abortion legislation in the future. The Union's concerns indicate that any changes to existing laws may ultimately face scrutiny in Karlsruhe, where the Federal Constitutional Court is located.

While the future of Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy remains uncertain following the cancellation of the vote, the Federal Constitutional Court continues to function normally. Judges remain in their positions until successors are appointed, with half of the appointments made by the Bundestag and the other half by the Bundesrat. Typically, a successor should be elected within two months following the end of a judge's term; however, regulations allow for alternative measures if this deadline is missed.