Unanimous Election to Top Judicial Post
Ann-Katrin Kaufhold was unanimously elected as the new Vice President of the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) by the Bundesrat on September 26, 2025. This significant appointment came just one day after her successful election as a Constitutional Court judge by the Bundestag on September 25, 2025. Her nomination was put forward by the SPD, and her election concludes a period of anticipation following previous delays in judicial appointments to the court.
The Election Process and Recent Developments
The election of judges to Germany's highest court involves both legislative bodies, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, each responsible for electing half of the court's 16 judges. A two-thirds majority is required for a candidate's election, ensuring broad parliamentary consensus. The right to elect the President and Vice President alternates between these two bodies.
Kaufhold's election as a judge, alongside Sigrid Emmenegger and Günter Spinner, on September 25, 2025, was particularly notable as it resolved a dispute that had strained the coalition government and delayed appointments. A previous attempt to elect judges in July had been scrapped after a nominee withdrew, highlighting the political complexities involved in these crucial judicial selections.
Ann-Katrin Kaufhold's Distinguished Background
Ann-Katrin Kaufhold is a highly respected German legal scholar and professor at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich). Born in 1976, her academic and professional career has been marked by extensive expertise in various fields of law.
Her research interests encompass:
- Constitutional, administrative, and European law
- National, European, and international public financial market law
- Climate constitutional law
- Sustainable finance regulation
Before her academic career, Kaufhold served as a legal adviser in the Federal Ministry of Justice from 2006 to 2009. Her comprehensive background positions her as a significant addition to the Federal Constitutional Court.
Role of the Vice President at Germany's Highest Court
The Federal Constitutional Court, located in Karlsruhe, serves as Germany's supreme constitutional body, safeguarding the Basic Law. It comprises two senates, each with eight judges. The President and Vice President of the court each preside over one of these senates, playing a pivotal role in the court's functioning and its external representation.
Ann-Katrin Kaufhold succeeds Doris König as Vice President, joining President Stephan Harbarth in leading the institution. Her unanimous election underscores the confidence placed in her ability to uphold the principles of the German constitution and contribute to the court's vital work.
5 Comments
Karamba
Delaying appointments just to get their preferred candidate in. Typical politics.
Mariposa
Finally, the court appointments are resolved. A strong sign of stability.
Donatello
The quick succession of her election as judge and then VP shows confidence in her abilities. However, the fact that a party nomination is so central to these 'non-political' judicial roles always raises questions about true impartiality.
Comandante
SPD nomination means clear political leanings. Is the court truly independent now?
Michelangelo
It's good to see a unanimous vote for a change, which suggests some stability. However, the path to this appointment still highlights the deep political maneuvering involved in judicial selections.