Overview

• The University of Potsdam confirmed an initial plagiarism suspicion in Saskia Ludwig’s 2007 doctoral thesis and has convened academic committees to examine the allegations while offering her an opportunity to respond.
• Independent researcher Jochen Zenthöfer reported at least 86 unmarked text borrowings in the first 113 pages of Ludwig’s dissertation, prompting the formal review.
• A prior short expert opinion exonerated SPD candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf of plagiarism, and SPD figures including Monika Grütters and the Potsdam party have defended her against what they call an orchestrated smear campaign.
• Germany’s Bundestag has been unable to elect a new Federal Constitutional Court judge since the July 11 vote failed, with a required two-thirds majority still lacking and any decision deferred until after the summer recess.
• The reciprocal allegations underscore deep coalition tensions, ideological battles over human dignity and abortion rights, and mounting partisan pressure on the judicial appointment process.