Sources within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group report a distinct lack of engagement regarding the upcoming selection process for a new Federal Constitutional Court judge. Despite a request from the group leadership, no member of the CDU/CSU has yet responded to an invitation to meet with Sigrid Emmenegger, the SPD’s candidate for the position.
According to reports in the “Rheinische Post” the parliamentary group leadership had hoped for discussions with individual members ahead of the formal selection process. However, these efforts appear to have been unsuccessful, with sources indicating no expressions of willingness to engage with the candidate. The topic of the judge selection process did not spur significant debate during Monday’s CDU/CSU parliamentary group meeting, although one CDU member reportedly voiced concerns regarding the procedure itself.
The current situation echoes a previous selection process in July, when the election of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, the SPD’s previous candidate, ultimately failed due to opposition from the Union, triggering a period of significant friction between coalition partners. While Ms. Emmenegger is reported to have already presented herself to a broader circle of Union leadership, the lukewarm response from individual parliamentarians underscores the sensitivity surrounding the upcoming vote.
The Bundestag is now scheduled to formally elect three new Federal Constitutional Court judges on September 25th.