The government wants to protect the Federal Constitutional Court in the event that extremists gain the political upper hand. But the Union is hesitating. Now the Federal President is jumping in on the traffic lights.
“That’s why I think it’s right to include regulations for the structure of the court, the electoral process and the terms of office of judges in the Basic Law. Regulations that could then only be changed with a two-thirds majority,” he said.
Steinmeier calls for “a serious debate”
Steinmeier said in a debate forum on democracy in his official residence at Bellevue Palace that he was clear about the scope and complexity of such a regulation. “Nevertheless, in my opinion now is the time to think about the content and scope of such an amendment to the constitution. It would be good if a serious debate got underway about it.”
However, the Union ended the first talks with the declaration that it currently saw no compelling need for such a constitutional change. Meanwhile, CDU chairman Friedrich Merz said that the Union would of course be open to a discussion if there were suggestions to better protect the Federal Constitutional Court from enemies of democracy. At the moment, the Union does not see such proposals.
