The recent appeal, “We Are the Daughters” signed by over 50 prominent women from German politics, arts and society, has drawn cautious praise from within the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Nina Warken, chairwoman of the CDU’s women’s organization and also the Federal Minister of Health, lauded the initiative’s willingness to engage with debates initiated by figures like CDU leader Friedrich Merz, a shift from automatic opposition. However, her endorsement was interwoven with a stark warning regarding the perceived threat to women’s safety stemming from migration.
Warken emphasized a non-negotiable requirement for newcomers to adhere to German laws and rules, hinting at a perceived link between migration and rising concerns about women’s security. She referenced pre-existing CDU proposals aimed at bolstering safety, including a return to “safe city centers” enhanced protections for women and improved integration programs. The CDU, she indicated, is now eager to collaborate with their Social Democratic (SPD) coalition partners to implement these measures.
The “We Are the Daughters” appeal itself explicitly cautions against its potential exploitation to promote “racist narratives” clarifying that the movement is not intended as a justification for divisive rhetoric. The signatories demand concrete action across a range of critical issues, including stricter prosecution of sexual and domestic violence, the inclusion of femicide in the criminal code, adequately funded women’s shelters and safe spaces specifically for women. Furthermore, the appeal champions the recognition of racially motivated violence, increased protections against digital abuse and online racism, a reform of the abortion law and measures to combat poverty among older women.
This nuanced response from the CDU highlights a delicate political balance. While acknowledging the validity of concerns raised by the “We Are the Daughters” movement, the party simultaneously signaled a focus on anxieties concerning migration and the need for stricter adherence to existing legal frameworks. The appeal’s explicit rejection of racist narratives and its comprehensive demands for gender equality pose a potential challenge to the CDU’s approach, particularly as the coalition government seeks to reconcile seemingly divergent viewpoints within the political landscape. The success of this collaboration and the extent to which the demands of the signatories are met, will likely reveal the fault lines within the governing alliance and the broader societal debate surrounding women’s safety and equality in Germany.