Overview

• Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf said she still struggles with stepping aside because unsachliche campaigns prevailed against her candidacy.
• She said she had no realistic path to the required two-thirds majority and withdrew to prevent further escalation and protect the court.
• She faulted Chancellor Friedrich Merz for declaring the Bundestag vote a conscience decision and for never contacting her, calling the choice a personnel matter.
• She described an exceptional period of untruths and online harassment during the public dispute, saying she focused on getting through the days.
• She said Union resistance centered on her liberal abortion stance and that her offer to discuss it was declined, and noted the seats were later filled with Sigrid Emmenegger, Ann-Katrin Kaufhold and Günter Spinner.