The coalition dispute over the failed election of judges in the Bundestag has reached a deadlock.

CSU regional group leader Alexander Hoffmann proposes resolving the coalition dispute over the filling of three positions at the Federal Constitutional Court through a new personnel package. "Such a personnel package could consist of completely new names, but it doesn't have to," the head of the CSU parliamentary group told the German Press Agency.

So far, the main discussion has been about a possible withdrawal of SPD candidate Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf, a candidate rejected by many CDU/CSU MPs, but rejected by the Social Democrats. With his proposal, Hoffmann now signals his willingness to also withdraw Federal Labor Court Judge Günter Spinner, nominated by the CDU/CSU. The third candidate, constitutional lawyer Ann-Katrin Kaufhold, was also nominated by the SPD.

Hoffmann can imagine all three candidates withdrawing – or even just one or two. "We have to get out of this situation. We need to be calm, objective, and consider whether a new personnel package can be achieved."

The summer will now be used to find a solution. "I personally believe that a new personnel package is probably the best way to resolve this," Hoffmann said. He appealed to both sides to conduct the further discussion with respect, rather than with mutual accusations.

The election of the three candidates for the Federal Constitutional Court was removed from the Bundestag's agenda at short notice on July 11. The reason was opposition within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Contrary to previous commitments, the parliamentary group leadership could no longer guarantee approval for Brosius-Gersdorf.