Negotiations surrounding the election of judges to the Federal Constitutional Court are entering a delicate phase, with the leader of the Left party, Jan van Aken, awaiting a formal offer from the conservative CDU/CSU alliance.
Speaking to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, van Aken emphasized the party’s willingness to engage in compromise, stating that it is fundamental to democratic principles. The Left is seeking reciprocal concessions in exchange for supporting the coalition’s judicial candidates. Their primary demand centers on securing a right to propose judicial candidates for the Federal Constitutional Court. Currently, this right is held by the CDU/CSU and SPD (each with three representatives), as well as the Greens and FDP (each with one).
Following the failed judicial election on July 11th and subsequent public disagreements within the government coalition regarding the candidacy of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, van Aken indicated a willingness to offer assistance, even suggesting potential contact with CDU representatives. He highlighted the Left’s previous declaration of willingness to discuss the matter and even expressed readiness to support CDU candidate Günter Spinner. However, this would necessitate a clear indication from the CDU and SPD that they are open to negotiations regarding the proposal right, ultimately granting the Left party such a right.
Van Aken stressed that without this progress, the Left party will not endorse a special session of the Bundestag. He characterized the current state as unchanged from July 11th, questioning the utility of convening parliamentarians for a repetition of the previous outcome. He suggested that a special session could be arranged if a clear plan for moving forward is established and discussions with the Left party have occurred, though he stipulated that the CDU need not publicly acknowledge a change in approach.
Addressing concerns that the Left party’s increasingly prominent position within the Bundestag, coupled with assertive stances on issues like housing affordability and critiques of capitalism, might hinder a potential rapprochement, van Aken defended the party’s position. He acknowledged potential criticism of their advocacy, asserting that taking action against those profiting from exploitative rental practices, while potentially perceived as extreme, is a necessary step to rectify inequality.