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Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka / dpa
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called for better protection of the Federal Constitutional Court from enemies of democracy.
»We must better protect our democracy from extremists.
The Basic Law and criminal law contain instruments to ward off such attacks," said Steinmeier at an event in Berlin's Bellevue Palace.
The Federal Constitutional Court must be made “weatherproof” in order to “protect it from possible attacks on its independence.”
Out of concern about the rise of extreme parties, the traffic light coalition had considered enshrining details on the election and term of office of constitutional judges in the Basic Law.
This could, for example, prevent judges from being removed from office relatively easily or the structures of the court being changed in the event of a change of government.
A two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat is necessary for a change to the Basic Law - and thus the support of the Union, which withdrew from negotiations.
The CDU chairman and Union faction leader Friedrich Merz recently said that there are currently no serious attacks on the Constitutional Court.
So far, the law on the Federal Constitutional Court, which regulates responsibilities and procedures, can be changed with a simple majority in the Bundestag
Experiences in Germany's neighboring countries Poland and Hungary, but also in other countries, "should serve as a warning to us," said Steinmeier.
"Everywhere there, the independence of the highest courts was initially at the center of attacks on liberal democracy." That's why he thinks "the idea of including regulations for the structure of the court, the electoral process and the terms of office of judges in the Basic Law is correct."
These regulations should only be able to be changed with a two-thirds majority.
“I do not at all underestimate the scope and complexity of such a regulation,” said Steinmeier.
"Nevertheless, in my opinion, now is the time to think about the content and scope of an amendment to the constitution." Steinmeier has recently repeatedly warned in discussions with the actors from Ampel and the Union that, in his view, the coalition and opposition should work together on important issues.
Now “the momentum must be used to strengthen our democracy again and make it more resilient in the headwinds of crisis, war and the loss of old certainties - against dangers and threats from extremists who value it nothing.” (Read an analysis here how enemies of the state could block constitutional courts.)
Steinmeier also condemned the recent attacks on party events.
"It is unacceptable when political meetings with members of the Bundestag are violently broken up, when small groups of enemies of democracy infiltrate democratic protests." What is needed is "a broad alliance of democrats so that what defines us is not eroded: a political culture of openness and diversity, in which the compromise is not compromised, but is respected as a necessary balance between social groups.«
Steinmeier spoke at a debate forum entitled “Successful, but not guaranteed.
State and future of our democracy after 75 years of the Basic Law.
His statements about the Constitutional Court are “impulses for the debate,” said Steinmeier.
til/AFP