Plagiarism scandal shakes CDU: Ludwig under suspicion – what now?

Plagiarism scandal shakes CDU: Ludwig under suspicion – what now?

The political climate in Berlin is currently dominated by an explosive plagiarism case that has far-reaching implications. The CDU politician Saskia Ludwig is at the center of allegations relating to her dissertation. This comes at a sensitive time, as the black-red federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing difficulties regarding the nomination of Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf as federal constitutional judge. While the election was originally scheduled for July 11, 2025, it was canceled after heated debates and it is unclear when it will be held again. According to Merkur, a current Insa survey shows that the coalition currently does not have a majority of voters.

At the same time, Saskia Ludwig from the University of Potsdam is being examined. The university has started a plagiarism check procedure based on a report of suspicion. In their work entitled “The outsourcing of tasks in state companies in the federal state of Brandenburg and other selected federal states,” plagiarism experts, including Jochen Zenthöfer, found significant violations of scientific standards. According to Tagesspiegel 86 unmarked text copies were found in the first 113 pages alone.

A dangerous game

Saskia Ludwig, who describes herself as a “bourgeois” politician with fundamentally conservative views, has in the past argued vehemently against the SPD candidate Brosius-Gersdorf and demanded that she should resign from office until the plagiarism allegations have been clarified. Ironically, she is now facing similar allegations herself. While she doesn't give clear answers to the current allegations, she tries to focus on the situation surrounding Brosius-Gersdorf.

The University of Potsdam is examining the allegations in a two-stage process, which begins with a preliminary examination by the Faculty of Economics, which usually lasts around three weeks. A university spokesman, Silke Engel, confirmed the trial, and it remains to be seen how Ludwig will react to the overwhelming evidence.

The pressure is growing

Politically, the pressure on Ludwig's party is increasing. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has already called for a repeat of the judge election, which shows how deeply these controversies affect politics. While the CDU and CSU clearly reject Brosius-Gersdorf's nomination, Saskia Ludwig's own career could be at risk due to the plagiarism allegations. Other politicians such as Christian Görke from the Left have already pointed out the paradoxical circumstances and brought the double standards of the situation to the fore.

As things unfold, the country remains trapped in a tense political situation. The fate of the two politicians and the associated questions about transparency and integrity in politics could have far-reaching consequences and test the trust of voters.