Overview

• The Bundestag’s vote for three new Federal Constitutional Court judges was postponed after CDU/CSU deputies refused to back SPD nominee Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf despite earlier assurances.
• SPD leaders have stood firm on Brosius-Gersdorf’s candidacy and offered a face-to-face hearing to address Union concerns about her positions on abortion and vaccine mandates.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz said there is “no time pressure” to resolve the deadlock and emphasized that any solution will be reached through measured talks with the SPD.
• President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned the coalition has “self-damaged” by making what was once a routine nomination process public and urged a prompt settlement to safeguard institutional credibility.
• Union parliamentary leader Jens Spahn retains the chancellor’s support even as he faces criticism for failing to secure his caucus’s pledged votes for the SPD candidate.