Following a failed parliamentary vote on Friday, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) is reportedly preparing to extend an offer of direct talks with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) regarding the candidacy of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf for a judge position at the Federal Constitutional Court.
According to reports in “Bild”, Brosius-Gersdorf, the SPD’s nominated candidate, is willing to personally address concerns raised by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The move follows the postponement of the election of three Constitutional Court judges, triggered by the Union’s apprehension that their members might not provide the necessary majority for Brosius-Gersdorf’s confirmation.
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch reportedly suggested the direct meeting during a virtual meeting of the SPD parliamentary group on Friday evening. Miersch stated he is in close contact with Brosius-Gersdorf, who remains committed to her candidacy.
An SPD parliamentary spokesperson emphasized the hope that the meeting will clarify perceived misrepresentations of Brosius-Gersdorf’s viewpoints. “We hope that the concerns against Brosius-Gersdorf can be addressed during the meeting in the CDU/CSU parliamentary group” they stated, adding that direct dialogue with the candidate is preferable to relying on social media narratives.
Sources within the SPD express confidence that the CDU/CSU leadership will accept the offer. This opportunity is seen as potentially allowing for a face-saving reassessment of positions, potentially leading to support for Brosius-Gersdorf.
Beyond the immediate issue of the Constitutional Court appointment, one senior SPD politician views the initiative as a means of resolving a growing coalition dispute, particularly in light of the rising influence of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The politician argued that a path towards improved cooperation between the Union and SPD is a shared responsibility given the evolving political landscape.