„Does Karlsruhe Have a Say?“ – Panel Discussion on the Role of the Federal Constitutional Court in a Democratic State Governed by the Rule of Law

Guardian of the Constitution or Secret Co-Ruler? On the occasion of the Federal Constitutional Court’s 75th anniversary, the Forum Recht Foundation discusses how much politics is involved in Karlsruhe—and where the judiciary reaches its limits.

Karlsruhe. How much politics is involved in constitutional adjudication—and where is the line between judicial oversight and political influence? These questions will be addressed in the panel discussion „Does Karlsruhe Help Govern?“: On the Role of the Federal Constitutional Court in a Democratic State Governed by the Rule of Law, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Forum Recht Foundation in Karlsruhe. The Forum Recht Foundation, in cooperation with the State Agency for Political Education in Baden-Württemberg on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Federal Constitutional Court, we invite you to attend the event.

Since its establishment, the Federal Constitutional Court has been the subject of repeated controversy—for example, regarding the election process for its justices, the scope of its rulings, or its proximity to politics. In recent years in particular, the question of how the court can be better protected from political attacks has also taken center stage. A recent amendment to the Basic Law has now made the Federal Constitutional Court more resilient to such attacks.

These and other topics will be discussed during the panel discussion Thomas Offenloch, Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court, Prof. Dr. Gabriele Abels, a political scientist and lay judge at the Constitutional Court of the State of Baden-Württemberg, as well as the attorney Dr. Roya Sangi – and with them, the live audience. Christoph Kehlbach from ARD’s legal news desk will serve as host.

The event focuses on an open exchange between experts from the judiciary, academia, and the legal profession, and the members of the public in the audience. The goal is to highlight different perspectives on the dual role of the Federal Constitutional Court as both a court and a constitutional body.

Attendance at the event is free of charge; registration is not required. Doors open 20 minutes before the event begins.