UP/UPC Update: German UPCA ratification put on hold

As previously reported, two constitutional complaints against the German UPCA and PPA ratification bill were filed in December 2020 with the German Federal Constitutional Court. One of the complainants, Dr. Ingve Stjerna, has confirmed publicly that his complaint included a request for an interim order to desist from completing the ratification until the court has rendered a decision on the merits. The court has forwarded the request to the involved federal institutions for their comments.

Meanwhile, the court has confirmed to the press that it has asked the German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to refrain from signing the UPCA ratification bill while it considers the request for interim order (reported here). A spokesperson for the President has confirmed to the press that the President will refrain from signing the UPCA ratification bill (reported here).

Delays to the German UPCA ratification should be expected if the court decides to admit any of the constitutional complaints. Last time around, it took the court three years to rule on the constitutional complaint filed against the first German UPCA ratification bill.  

Read Setterwalls’ previous update on the constitutional complaints against the German UPCA ratification bill here.