Germany is still the world champion here: when it comes to the rule of law, no one is fooling us. And nobody does it right – except us, of course. As good as it is that considerable deficiencies in the rule of law are no longer regarded as a purely domestic matter, one should be cautious with schoolmasterly advice or paternally expressed concern.

This also applies to Israel, whose security has already been incorporated into the German raison d'être by the old Federal Government. The reform of the judiciary does indeed raise serious questions. What is the point of a constitutional court if it could be whistled back with a simple parliamentary majority?

But there is also a debate about the role of constitutional courts and the politicisation of the election of judges in other democracies. This struggle is also part of their nature. The critical view from the outside is part of it among partners. But it seems strange when the German Federal President, of all people, mentions the reform planned by the democratic government in the same breath as fears of an escalation of hatred and violence.

Rather, one should at the same time rely on the self-purifying powers of a vibrant democracy – and not implicitly pretend that we are immune from the struggle for democracy and the rule of law. Reason of state or not: Germany is neither a world supervisory board nor a global kindergarten teacher.