Stalemate in the Conflict Over Constitutional Judges

In Berlin, tensions are escalating between the Union and the SPD regarding the contentious nomination of Professor Dr. Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf for a position on the Federal Constitutional Court. Both political factions have drawn clear lines, indicating no signs of compromise as they grapple with the appointment of three judges.

The Union maintains that there is no immediate urgency to reschedule the election that was originally set for last Friday but was postponed. They anticipate that any negotiations with the SPD may not materialize until September. Within Union circles, the prospect of Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy being reconsidered is viewed as increasingly unlikely. CDU representative Stefan Korbach, a member of the electoral committee, suggested that Brosius-Gersdorf should refrain from pursuing a position that is deemed unwinnable.

Following the nomination by the committee, which initially showed a calm atmosphere, significant opposition within the Union soon surfaced. Brosius-Gersdorf had gained the essential two-thirds majority needed to advance her candidacy in the Bundestag, but the backlash from the Union was swift and substantial.

In response, Matthias Miersch, the head of the SPD parliamentary group, recently sent out another detailed communication to his members, emphasizing the coalition's successes during its brief time in power. He reiterated the SPD's commitment to Brosius-Gersdorf, asserting that they expect cooperation from their coalition partner, the Union. Miersch's message made it clear that the SPD is unwavering in its support for Brosius-Gersdorf, firmly rejecting any notion of retreat in the face of opposition.

Carmen Wegge, the SPD's legal policy spokesperson, criticized what she perceives as a campaign against Brosius-Gersdorf, referencing recent reports that indicated alterations to her Wikipedia entry prior to the announcement of her candidacy. Wegge questioned the motivations behind such actions, suggesting they reflect a deeper issue of male-dominated networks working against female candidates.

Wegge expressed confidence that Brosius-Gersdorf would not consider withdrawing her candidacy, despite previous statements made during a television appearance where she indicated a willingness to step aside if her nomination could harm the integrity of the Federal Constitutional Court. The SPD remains firm that the Union must engage with Brosius-Gersdorf directly, although sources within the Union have indicated there are no plans for such discussions.

Contributing to the escalating tensions, Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär from the CSU faced backlash after expressing understanding for the Union's position during a recent interview. Her remarks included questioning whether Brosius-Gersdorf should continue her candidacy, which sparked outrage among academic circles who felt her comments undermined a qualified woman's candidacy.

Online reactions have been overwhelmingly negative towards Bär, with many academics recalling previous controversies linked to her predecessor. Bär's suggestions that women should exhibit resilience in the face of criticism were met with derision, as many viewed her comments as perpetuating a cycle of undermining female professionals in competitive fields.

Felix Banaszak, leader of the Green Party, suggested that the Union's strategy may involve pressuring Brosius-Gersdorf into withdrawing her candidacy through persistent public scrutiny, describing the situation as distressingly transparent.

In a show of solidarity, the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, defended Brosius-Gersdorf against the backdrop of rising criticism, asserting that she should not be subjected to such public disparagement. He emphasized the inappropriateness of turning this nomination into a broader cultural conflict, highlighting the negative ramifications of such a discourse.