The parliamentary group of the CDU/CSU alliance is reportedly seeking to remove the scheduled election for constitutional judge Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf from the Bundestag’s agenda this Friday.
According to multiple media outlets, the decision to withdraw the nomination was communicated to the SPD by CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The rationale provided, according to these reports, does not center on previously voiced concerns regarding Brosius-Gersdorf’s legal viewpoints, including her stance on abortion rights. Instead, the cited reason for the move involves recently surfaced allegations of plagiarism.
The SPD had initially proposed Brosius-Gersdorf for the position. Despite prior criticism from the CDU/CSU, Chancellor Merz had only on Wednesday affirmed in the Bundestag that he could reconcile her election with his conscience. Several other prominent figures within the CDU/CSU had previously publicly advocated for her confirmation. The sudden shift in position marks a significant development in a process that had appeared to be progressing, albeit with dissent.