Hoffmann Backs Constitutional Court Candidate

Hoffmann Backs Constitutional Court Candidate

A prominent figure within the Christian Social Union (CSU) has publicly defended the candidacy of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, nominated by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for a position on the Federal Constitutional Court. Alexander Hoffmann, CSU parliamentary group leader, voiced his support in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, characterizing Brosius-Gersdorf as a “respectable” candidate despite not being affiliated with the Union and emphatically denying accusations that she is a “left-wing radical activist.

Hoffmann addressed concerns raised regarding Brosius-Gersdorf’s views on the protection of life, asserting that her published legal writings clearly establish her position that the right to life extends to the embryo, not commencing solely at birth. He further highlighted her understanding that the legal claim of the unborn intensifies as a pregnancy advances. These clarifications, according to Hoffmann, allow the CSU to support her candidacy even while pursuing their own nominated candidate, Günter Spinner, formerly a judge at the Federal Labor Court.

The upcoming election for three judges on the Federal Constitutional Court has ignited a significant debate in Berlin. This stems from the difficulty in securing the necessary two-thirds majority without the support of parties beyond the existing coalition of CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens. Divisions within the Union itself have also surfaced, with some members, including Klaus Holetschek, leader of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bavarian State Parliament, expressing reservations based on their own Christian values regarding specific statements by Brosius-Gersdorf pertaining to the concept of human dignity.

Alongside Brosius-Gersdorf, the SPD has also nominated Ann-Katrin Kaufhold. The selection process is complicated by the shift in parliamentary power following the last election. Now, achieving a two-thirds majority requires the cooperation of parties that may be ideologically opposed, potentially involving the support of the Left party or the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Failure to reach an agreement within the Bundestag could result in the Federal Council assuming responsibility for filling the open positions in Karlsruhe, where a two-thirds majority can still be secured by the current governing coalition comprising CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens and FDP supported states.