The recent failure to secure the election of three constitutional court judges in the Bundestag is fueling concerns within the Social Democratic Party (SPD) regarding the reliability of their coalition partners, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU).
Specifically, criticism has been directed at CDU leader Friedrich Merz and the parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU, Jens Spahn. Thuringia’s Interior Minister and SPD state chairman, Georg Maier, voiced his reservations to the “Handelsblatt”, stating it was “alarming that even the party leader failed to rally the CDU behind him”. He questioned how such a leader could guide the country through challenging times when basic decisions are met with dissent within his own ranks. Maier, reflecting a broader concern shared across many democratic nations, emphasized the importance of unity given the perceived rise of authoritarianism.
Dirk Wiese, the First Parliamentary Manager of the SPD parliamentary group, echoed this sentiment, stressing the necessity of a cohesive CDU/CSU parliamentary group for future collaboration. He highlighted the need for dependable agreements, particularly noting that the CDU and CSU had jointly nominated SPD candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf.
SPD parliamentarian Ralf Stegner expressed worry over the stability of the governing coalition, asserting that the controversy surrounding the judicial appointments casts doubt on its functional capacity. He further suggested that the situation has benefited the Alternative for Germany (AfD), whose celebratory reaction he deemed to be mocking to the Bundestag and the established democratic factions.
SPD politician Sebastian Roloff also cautioned the CDU against any inclinations toward rapprochement with the AfD. He urged the CDU leadership to actively prevent any opening towards a definitively right-wing extremist party and to avoid being drawn into conservative rhetoric, referencing the current situation as an example. Drawing parallels to the late phase of the Weimar Republic, Stegner warned that engaging with parties from the far right fosters the decline of democracy, leading to war and suffering.