German top court nominee drops bid after right-wing pressure
The typically low-profile, cross-party appointment process turned into a political flashpoint, ultimately prompting the law professor to withdraw her candidacy and exposing deep divisions within Germany's ruling coalition between the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU).
In a personal statement, Brosius-Gersdorf said she was 'no longer available for getting elected', citing pressure from the Christian Democrats.
'In recent weeks and days, I have been clearly signalled – both publicly and privately – by members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group that my election is not an option," she added.
Brosius-Gersdorf also warned that the episode marked a dangerous politicisation of judicial appointments. 'A development has been set in motion whose consequences for democracy are unforeseeable,' she said.
The uproar leading to her withdrawal – described by some as a 'campaign' orchestrated by right-wing politicians and media outlets – focused on Brosius-Gersdorf's liberal views on abortion, which drew fierce opposition from conservative ranks.
Several Christian Democrat lawmakers threatened to block her nomination, including, most prominently, Saskia Ludwig, who made headlines this week with a meeting with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The CDU/CSU's parliamentary leadership eventually withdrew its support for Brosius-Gersdorf, citing unsubstantiated plagiarism accusations related to her doctoral thesis. This led to a last-minute cancellation of the vote on all three nominees that the coalition had previously agreed on.
The SPD's co-chair and vice-chancellor, Lars Klingbeil, reacted to Brosius-Gersdorf's withdrawal with a thinly-veiled attack on his coalition partner, whom he accused of undermining the previous agreement.
'What Brosius-Gersdorf has had to endure in recent weeks in terms of hostility is completely unacceptable," Klingbeil said in a statement.
'Those who ultimately broke their word within the coalition urgently need to reflect on what happened,' he added, alluding to the Christian Democrats.
"This must not be allowed to happen again."
(de/na)
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