Drifting into Politics: Is Germany's High Court Anti-European?

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http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-eu-critical-course-of-the-german-high-court-a-958018.html



Germany's Federal Constitutional Court is one of the country's most formidable institutions. Yet recently it has faced criticism for its rulings on the euro and European unification. Have its justices crossed the line between jurisprudence and politics?

Drifting into Politics: Is Germany's High Court Anti-European?
By SPIEGEL Staff
March 13, 2014 – 12:56 PM

In early September, Andreas Vosskuhle set off for Strasbourg. The president of Germany's Federal Constitutional Court -- the country's top court -- wanted to elucidate his idea of a "Europe of tomorrow" to some 30 members of the European Parliament at Maison Kammerzell, a historical restaurant in the French city.

It wasn't a pleasant evening for Vosskuhle. It almost seemed as though the members of parliament were turning the tables and placing the chief justice of Germany's highest court in the dock. "Vosskuhle was raked over the coals," says one participant, adding that there were no party lines when it came to the criticism. One member even complained that the court is seeking to harm the European Parliament with its decisions. Another argued that the Karlsruhe-based court simply doesn't comprehend Europe's idea of democracy.

After a barrage of questioning that lasted two hours, Vosskuhle finally lost his patience. "Not a single person here has mentioned the words 'citizens' or 'voters,'" he said, seeking to rebuke the politicians. "Is your own power the only thing you care about?"

Decisions Unpopular in Europe

Be it in Berlin or in Brussels, many politicians have little that's positive to say about the German Constitutional Court these days. The justices are being very publicly accused of overstepping the boundaries of their responsibilities and of placing themselves in the position of legislators. Some politicians are so filled with misgivings they worry the justices have entered into some kind of secret pact with forces that view the euro to be an act of German self-abandonment and want to turn back the clock on European integration.