German Green Party proposes judicial reforms to limit state influence

Members of the German Green Party have introduced a reform concept aimed at restricting the power of state governments over the judiciary. The proposal follows the AfD's electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt, raising concerns among Greens that a state government led by the AfD could politically manipulate prosecutors and courts.

The reform seeks to limit the right of justice ministers to issue instructions to prosecutors. Currently, under the Courts Constitution Act, prosecutors are part of the executive and subject to official instructions. The Greens propose that such instructions should only be permitted in cases of clearly erroneous decisions or misuse of discretion, and must be transparently documented.

Additionally, the proposal suggests expanding the powers of the Federal Prosecutor General. This would allow the federal level to take over investigations if a state prosecutor's office remains inactive for political reasons despite sufficient evidence of a crime.