German political parties welcome the move by the Federal Constitutional Court to present its own candidates for the vacancy of a judge.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has expressed its approval of the court’s decision, with Stephan Brandner, the AfD’s expert on constitutional law, stating in an interview with the Welt newspaper that the party welcomes the fact that the nomination process is no longer dominated by political parties. The three candidates proposed by the court for the vacancy left by Judge Josef Christ are the subject of Brandner’s praise, with him saying that the information available about the candidates on the surface appears positive. He added that if the candidates are personally and professionally suitable and give the impression of being neutral in their political views, the AfD would be willing to consider them for the position.
The Left Party has also shown a positive attitude towards the court’s proposal, with Clara Bünger, the party’s expert on constitutional law, stating that the court’s suggestions can help to achieve a broader consensus. She believes that it is reasonable and sensible for the court to now present its own candidates. The Left Party will carefully examine the proposed names and wait for the personal recommendations before making a decision. If a consensus-building proposal emerges, the party is open to voting for the candidate, regardless of whether the candidate comes from the Bundestag or the court. A two-thirds majority in the Bundestag is required for the judge’s election.