German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is working on a draft law to tighten the selection of lay judges. The aim is to prevent far-right extremists from gaining influence over courts through this honorary office. According to Tagesspiegel, Hubig cited evidence that an increasing number of applicants hostile to the constitution are seeking lay judge positions.
“Right-wing extremism is the greatest threat to our democracy,” Hubig told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). “Anyone who works for the judiciary must stand firmly on the ground of our free democratic basic order.” The minister announced that she would legally clarify the requirement for lay judges to be loyal to the constitution. Anyone wishing to become a lay judge must behave in a manner loyal to the constitution.
Hubig sees attacks on the rule of law already in current developments. She pointed to Thuringia, where the election of constitutional judges is being blocked. Blockades also threaten lay judge elections. The minister announced that she would soon present a regulatory proposal to mitigate the consequences of possible blockades.
Even during the traffic-light coalition era, there were indications that tens of thousands of lay judges were missing in Germany. Right-wing networks had urged their supporters to fill the gaps, it was said. Controls were hardly taking place. Regarding a possible ban on the AfD party, Hubig was cautious: “A party ban is the sharpest sword that our Basic Law provides.” One must seriously examine whether the conditions are met.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
