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DW
18-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
How far-right social media impacted Germany's highest court – DW – 07/18/2025
Researchers say a far-right social media campaign — that painted a respected law professor as extremist — caused the suspension of the election of judges to Germany's highest court. Whenever there's talk of a crisis of democracy in Germany, leading politicians proudly point to the well-established independence of the "judges from Karlsruhe" — that is, the judges who sit on the Federal Constitutional Court, which is based in the southern German city. The Federal Constitutional Court is one of the highest courts in Germany and is also seen as the "fifth organ" of the country's political system, alongside the presidency, the parliament or Bundestag, the federal government and the Bundesrat, the federal council of German states. Unlike the Federal Criminal Court, which is the highest court for civil and criminal justice, the Federal Constitutional Court's job is to ensure that Germany's Basic Law — its constitution — is upheld. It is seen as the guardian of Germans' basic rights. The Federal Constitutional Court is also the only court that can decide about banning a political party. The court's decisions are widely recognized and often offer a course correction for ruling political parties. All of this is why last week's failure to elect three new judges to the Federal Constitutional Court has been so controversial. There are 16 judges on the bench, all of whom can serve 12 years. Half of them are chosen by the Bundesrat, the council of leaders of Germany's 16 states and the other half by parliament, the Bundestag. In both cases, there must be a two-thirds majority for a judge to be successfully elected. The procedure is always highly political because the court is seen as a pillar of German democracy, a symbol of the separation of powers in the German system and a defense against any politics that work against German citizens' basic rights. Although the process has never been as emotionally heated as the selection of judges for the US' Supreme Court, there have been occasional controversies around candidates. One such instance was the 2011 candidature of lawyer Peter Müller. Müller was also a politician and had only just resigned from his post as the state prime minister of Saarland. He is also a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, or CDU. Obviously he was not a neutral candidate for the court — he had openly been against the immigration policies of the then-left-leaning federal government — and his application was viewed with some skepticism. Despite this, the Bundesrat voted unanimously to appoint him to the Federal Constitutional Court. Those voting for him included state prime ministers who belonged to the then-ruling, left-wing parties like the Social Democrats and the Green party. Müller left the court in 2023. As the German media outlet, Legal Tribune Online, points out, the court's mixture of opinions is exactly why it is so respected. "The Karlsruhe court thrives on its pluralistic composition," the legal specialists wrote this week. "In their collective decision-making process, the 16 judges must argue and persuade … the court's working practices depend on this collaboration resulting in constitutionally sound decisions." The Federal Constitutional Court candidate at the center of the controversy, Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, is not a politician. She is a highly respected constitutional law professor at the University of Potsdam. Brosius-Gersdorf has repeatedly dealt with difficult areas of jurisprudence, including abortion and how the Basic Law's ideals about human dignity apply to both mother and unborn child. Basically, when it comes to these tricky questions, she is doing her job, just as she is supposed to. However last Friday, her candidature for the Federal Constitutional Court appeared to fail. Germany's governing coalition — with the conservative CDU in the majority and the left-leaning Social Democrats a minority partner — withdrew the election of judges from parliamentary agenda. It had become clear that the CDU and their junior partner, the Christian Social Union, or CSU, were way too resistant to Brosius-Gersdorf. That was despite the fact that the parliamentary committee selecting the three candidates had previously expressed broad, cross-party support for Brosius-Gersdorf. For Philipp Sälhoff, head of Berlin-based political consultancy Polisphere the answer is clear. "Yes, there was a campaign," he told DW. His consultancy examined 40,000 related posts on the platform X (formerly Twitter). According to Sälhoff, all the elements one might expect to see in a targeted campaign were there. "Online petitions, calls to action, formulas for [protest] letters you can send to your member of parliament, paid-for advertising and posts, or the networking of actors on social media with one clear goal: preventing the election of this candidate," he explained. Reports in traditional media are not part of this, Sälhoff explains: "A critical political report isn't part of such a campaign, rather they're legitimate and necessary when it comes to how members of parliament vote, including on Federal Constitutional Court judges." The problem is that the campaign on social media was manipulative and became increasingly problematic as disinformation and aggressive exaggeration won over the facts, he noted. According to Polisphere's research, the agitating done by right-wing organizations like Nius were particularly notable. This online platform, founded by German billionaire Frank Gotthardt who had the intention of making it into this country's version of Fox News, was shooting at Brosius-Gersdorf from all barrels, and mostly with defamatory and false information. The law professor was described as a "left-wing radical," an extremist who would have allowed babies aborted at nine months and who was against freedom of opinion. These sort of untruths were peddled to an audience of millions and other far-right media followed suit. When it was announced that the vote on the Federal Constitutional Court judges had been called off, Nius' editor-in-chief, Julian Reichelt, celebrated. "This is a good day for us," he said. "Nobody recognized that there are now new media who won't play along with the [mainstream] political-media complex." In other words, he saw the campaign against Brosius-Gersdorf as a victory over established German media. Polisphere's Sälhoff sees reasons for concern in Reichelt's proclamation of victory. "It's not about whether these kinds of media impact opinions in Germany — they've been doing that for a while already," he explained. "But to engineer a situation like this in Germany's parliament in such a short time, where it was exposed more or less out of nowhere, and right in front of the eyes of the German and the international public — that's certainly success for them," Sälhoff said. Of course, at the same time members of parliament make decisions of their own accord. Campaigns, no matter what flavor, are part of the political scenery and they regularly drum up support, regardless of one's political persuasion. This is why CDU member and former Federal Constitutional Court judge, Peter Müller, believes the fault lies with his own party's leadership. "This is a blatant failure of leadership by the CDU/CSU," he said in an interview with German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. "Something like this shouldn't happen." Apparently shortly before the scheduled election of the judges, CDU leader and current Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn had signaled they expected party members to support Brosius-Gersdorf's candidacy. But apparently they were not listened to. For the time being, the vote for new Federal Constitutional Court judges has been taken off the parliament's agenda. Following that, in a long television interview with one of Germany's best known talk show hosts, Brosius-Gersdorf took on a lot of the accusations that had been made against her, saying she was neither radical nor extremist. She also tried to explain her position on various issues from a legal point of view. When asked whether she would continue to seek a spot on the bench, the 54-year-old replied that if there was any danger posed by her candidacy to the court itself, she would withdraw her nomination.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Daily Record
UK holidaymakers warned of disposable vape crackdowns in popular tourists hotspots
The sale of the single-use e-cigs was banned across the country last month. With Scotland's disposable vape ban now in full effect, users heading on holiday this summer are being urged to double-check the laws in their holiday destination. Dozens of countries now prohibit the use, sale, or import of disposable vaping devices and in some cases, possession alone could lead to fines. From June 1, the sale of the single-use e-cigs was banned across the country in a bid to prevent young children from taking up the habit as well as to protect the environment. However, purchasing a disposable vape abroad and bringing it back into the UK could also catch vapers out. Travellers returning home could risk confiscation at UK borders or unknowingly breach the law by possessing a banned product. Saif Khan, director at online retailer WizVape said: 'With the UK's ban on disposable vapes now in place, we're seeing similar restrictions emerging across Europe and globally. "Many travellers are unaware that simply carrying a disposable vape could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble abroad. "Whether you're heading to the beach or the city this summer, it's essential to check the local laws before you fly. Make sure you're using a reusable device and have packed enough refills so you don't need to purchase a non-uk friendly vape for your return.' European countries with disposable vape bans or restrictions If you're travelling to France or Belgium, you might not even notice the difference. Both countries have implemented laws closely aligned with the UK's, meaning you won't find disposables for sale. European countries where disposable vapes are currently available Disposable vapes are still legally available in many countries, yet travellers should not be tempted to bring any home, as it is possible that tourists may return unaware they're carrying a product now illegal in the UK. While disposables are available in other countries, there are restrictions and upcoming proposals to align legislation with the UK's, France and Belgium's bans. Germany – The majority of the Bundesrat (Germany's Federal Council) has voted in favour of a ban on disposable vapes, though this still needs to be debated and approved Ireland – A disposable vape ban is expected by the end of 2025, with the Cabinet having approved the first draft of the upcoming Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill last year Hungary – Only state-run Tobacco Shops may sell vaping products. Additionally, there is a total ban on all e-liquid flavours. The government has specifically banned popular disposable vape devices (e.g., 'Elf Bars') making their possession, sale, or use illegal. Where You Shouldn't Vape While disposable vapes are still legal in Spain, regional laws vary. However, using a vaping device in the wrong location could result in a fine. Many coastal areas have implemented vape-free zones. Spain – Beaches in Benidorm (Levante and Poniente) and Barcelona are designated vape-free with fines up to €750 (£650) In several countries outside of Europe, all vaping devices are fully banned. Tourists bringing these items could face confiscation, fines, or criminal charges: Thailand – A total ban on the possession, sale, and use of all e-cigarettes and vaping devices has been in effect since 2014, with severe penalties including fines and potential jail time Singapore – There is a complete ban on the importation, sale, distribution, possession, use, and purchase of all e-cigarettes and vapes. Penalties for possession or use can include fines of up to £1,150, while importing can lead to fines of up to £5,750 or imprisonment. Mexico – A nationwide ban on the sale, distribution, import, export, and marketing of all vaping devices was signed into law in 2022 by presidential decree, following earlier regulatory actions. Personal use is a legal grey area but there have been reports of devices being confiscated at airports Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. India – A nationwide ban on the production, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes came into effect with the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, on December 5, 2019 Qatar – a ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, use of vapes was implemented in 2014. Strict enforcement can lead to fines up to £2,200 or up to three months in prison for possession. Brazil – all vaping devices have been banned since 2009 by the National Health Surveillance Agency Argentina – The import, sale, advertisement, and distribution of e-cigarettes and related products have been banned since a 2011 government ruling, with a subsequent decree in 2013 classifying e-cigarettes as tobacco products, extending usage prohibitions to them
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Urgent warning for Brits abroad who vape as tourist hotspots impose strict bans
Brits are being warned to check local laws in their holiday destinations before setting off as multiple countries impose strict vape bans that could result in a hefty fine or even prison time As summer holiday season kicks off, British travellers are being urged to double-check vaping laws at their holiday destinations or risk hefty fines, confiscation, or even prison. While most holidaymakers remember to pack suncream, passports and sunglasses, one everyday item could land you in trouble abroad: your vape. UK-based retailer WizVape has issued a warning for travellers this summer after the UK's own ban on disposable vapes came into effect on June 1, 2025. With similar restrictions now appearing across Europe and beyond, vape users could easily be caught out by local laws. 'Many travellers are unaware that simply carrying a disposable vape could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble abroad,' says Saif Khan, Director at WizVape. 'Whether you're heading to the beach or the city this summer, it's essential to check the local laws before you fly.' In Europe, countries such as France and Belgium have already implemented full bans on disposable vapes. In Spain, vaping may still be legal, but using your device on beaches in Barcelona or Benidorm could see you slapped with a fine of up to €750 (£650). Other European nations are planning restrictions too. A disposable vape ban in Germany has passed the Bundesrat but awaits parliamentary approval. Ireland are also expected to implement a ban by the end of 2025. In Hungary, flavoured e-liquids and popular devices like Elf Bars are already prohibited. 'Make sure you're using a reusable device and have packed enough refills so you don't need to purchase a non-UK friendly vape for your return,' adds Khan. Outside Europe, the risks are even higher. In Thailand, tourists face severe penalties for possession of any vaping device - including large fines or even jail time. Other destinations with complete bans include: Singapore - fines of up to £1,150 for possession. Mexico - devices often confiscated at airports. India, Qatar, Brazil and Argentina - strict bans and penalties in place. Travellers returning to the UK should also be cautious about bringing disposables home. With the UK's ban now in place, anyone caught with a single-use vape could have it confiscated at the border. 'Don't assume what's legal abroad is legal at home,' Khan warns. 'Stay informed and travel smart this summer.'
The Star
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Postponed vote on top judge pitches German coalition into crisis
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers the inaugural speech at the Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament, in Berlin, Germany, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's coalition was thrown into disarray on Friday after Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives ordered the last-minute postponement of a vote to elect a judge to the Constitutional Court. Merz's Christian Democrats said it had taken the decision to pause Friday's parliamentary vote because of the publication of unsubstantiated plagiarism allegations against Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf. But his Social Democrat coalition partners and the opposition Greens said she was being treated unfairly. Over the past week, conservative legislators have said they were uncomfortable with her support for abortion rights. This is the second occasion on which the coalition has failed to muster support on a key vote. Merz's own appointment three months ago fell through in the first round of voting. The Christian Democrats had this week indicated they would support Brosius-Gersdorf, a judge and law professor nominated by the Social Democrats. But on Friday they said they had changed their mind after Austrian Stefan Weber, a self-declared "plagiarism hunter", published allegations against Brosius-Gersdorf on X on Thursday evening. Brosius-Gersdorf did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for a comment. Many comments under Weber's social media post dismissed the allegations, some calling them "nonsense". "Whatever happens now, this process has been conducted in a very unsavoury way," senior SPD politician Anke Rehlinger said. "It harms the person in question and the reputation of the court... It really bothers me how a judge, and a woman, is being treated." The row is an embarrassment for Merz and his ally Jens Spahn, the party's parliamentary leader, whose job includes coordinating votes to preserve the peace in the coalition. "This is a disaster for parliament, and especially for Jens Spahn and Friedrich Merz and the coalition parties," senior Green Britta Hasselmann said. Weber said bibliographic references in a PhD thesis by Brosius-Gersdorf had lifted material from her husband's thesis on a similar topic, even though it was published a year later. The Constitutional Court is one of Germany's most respected and powerful institutions. Its decision to overturn a budget helped trigger the collapse of Germany's last government. While judges often have open party affiliations, public disagreements over hot-button cultural issues are rare. It members speak with pride about its political neutrality, frequently comparing it favourably with the U.S. Supreme Court. (Additional reporting by Markus Wacket; Editing by Miranda Murray and Andrew Heavens)
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
German upper house to vote on corporate tax cuts and rent relief
BERLIN: Germany's upper house of parliament is set to vote on Friday on multibillion-euro tax breaks to support companies and boost investment, as well as on an extension of rent controls to alleviate the country's strained housing market, reported German news agency dpa. The tax relief package, already approved by the lower house of parliament, includes more options for businesses to account for the depreciation in the value of their machinery, in a move designed to encourage companies to increase investments. It also promises to gradually reduce the corporate tax rate from the current 15 per cent to 10 per cent by 2032. In addition, tax incentives for electric car purchases are planned. The package is estimated to cost the federal government, states and local authorities around €48 billion (US$56 billion) in tax revenue. To support Germany's states, some of which are heavily indebted, the federal government has agreed to cover their tax losses for a limited period until 2029 through the distribution of VAT revenues. The upper house, or Bundesrat, is also due to decide whether to extend rent controls in popular residential areas until the end of 2029. The rules, introduced in 2015, limit new rents to tenants in these areas to 10 per cent above the local average. Both measures were agreed as part of the government's coalition agreement between Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives and the Social Democrats. Merz's government, which took office in May, vowed to turn the country's struggling economy around through investment and deregulation for businesses, as well as to ease the burden on tenants in the country's overheated housing market. — BERNAMA-dpa
