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Germany Today

German news in English

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Germany Strengthens Constitutional Court Protections

Published: 2024-10-10

In a historic move, Germany's Bundestag has initiated discussions on constitutional amendments aimed at fortifying the Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) against political influence.

This bipartisan effort, involving both the Ampel coalition and the CDU, seeks to enshrine key structural protections in the Grundgesetz (Basic Law).

The proposed changes include setting the court's composition and judges' terms in the constitution, making it harder for extremist parties to manipulate the judiciary.

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann emphasized the political nature of safeguarding democracy, warning against over-reliance on legal measures alone.

The initiative reflects concerns over rising extremist influence, with examples from Poland and Hungary cited as cautionary tales.

The move underscores Germany's commitment to preserving judicial independence amidst growing political challenges.