SOME ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT CASES BEFORE THE GERMAN FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

This article analyses some of the most important decisions issued by the German Federal Constitutional Court during the last year. They are related to different topics such as the freedom of expression and the right to privacy, the democratic liberties and the electoral process, the principle of equality and the right to freedom and security. A good number of the cases are closely bound to the recent electoral process in Germany, and have arouse certain attention in the public opinion - i.e., the lawsuit brought by the NPD against the President of the Republic Joachim Gauck, which was finally dismissed by the Court. Other decisions are particularly relevant because they declare unconstitucional several provisions or omissions of some statutory Acts (i.e., the Counter-Terrorism Database Act, Income Tax Act and the Civil Partnerships Act, etc.). It is also remarkable the Court's judgement drawing the boundaries of legitimate plea bargaining in criminal trials.