SPD youth demand debate on backing AfD-backed judges in Thuringia's top court

The blocking minority and the court dilemma

Two seats on the Thuringian constitutional court will be filled this autumn, and the AfD's parliamentary strength gives it effective veto power. The party holds more than one-third of the seats in the Erfurt Landtag, a blocking minority that allows it to prevent any judicial candidate from reaching the required two-thirds majority. The AfD's justice policy spokesman, Sascha Schlösser, signalled weeks ago that his faction wants a functioning court.

We are the best customers of the constitutional court.

AfD's candidate enters the picture

The AfD has asserted its right to nominate one of the two judges and has already floated Ralf Hornemann, the personal lawyer of Thuringia's AfD chief Björn Höcke. The second candidate is expected to be proposed by the governing "Brombeer" coalition of the CDU, BSW and SPD, forged in 2024 after the AfD became the strongest force in the state election.

The coalition agreement explicitly states: "There is no cooperation with the AfD; talks on necessary parliamentary procedures and decisions are to be held due to the blocking minority."

Red lines and pragmatic escape routes

SPD parliamentary group leader Sophie Ringhand pointed out that the SPD is the only coalition partner strictly maintaining red lines on the AfD, while the CDU and BSW are more lax. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that the SPD holds "no easy cards." A passive path exists: the SPD could simply abstain rather than actively vote for an AfD candidate, allowing the election to proceed without overt support.

I believe this is actually a point where the parliamentary group really has no easy cards. It is the only one in this coalition that strictly insists that the red lines with regard to the AfD must be observed.

Jusos demand a summer debate

The Thuringian Jusos, the SPD's youth organization, are calling for an internal party discussion before the summer break ends. Ringhand, who also heads the Jusos, warned against simply accepting an AfD nominee.

It cannot be that we elect someone whom the AfD puts in front of us.

She insisted that the party must hold this debate, even though the coalition was originally formed to exclude the AfD from shaping policy. "I don't want to approve it in any way, but I at least think that an internal party debate must be held, and that has not taken place yet," Ringhand said.

What comes next

No vote date has been set, but the autumn deadline is approaching. The SPD's base is uneasy, and the Jusos' push ensures that the party will have to clarify its position publicly. Whether pragmatism or principle prevails will determine if the AfD's proposed candidate reaches the bench.