Overview

• SPD leaders will retain Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as their nominee after she firmly rejected claims of advocating abortion until birth.
• CDU/CSU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn publicly acknowledged a “loss of trust” in coalition discipline over the failed vote and assumed responsibility.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU head Markus Söder pledged to address the judges’ election impasse calmly, ruling out a special session.
• About 300 legal scholars issued an open letter endorsing Brosius-Gersdorf’s qualifications and criticizing the smear campaign as inadequately prepared.
• With the Bundestag entering its summer recess, any fresh vote on the three constitutional judges is deferred until the legislature returns in September.