During the coalition debate on the next electoral‑law overhaul, Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has called for a study of parity models.
“The electoral reform has to come. Anyone who is directly elected in a constituency must be entitled to a seat in the Bundestag – anything else only fuels political cynicism, because downgrading the first vote in a constituency violates the democratic principle” the CDU vice‑chairwoman told Focus. “During such a reform we should also examine how a constitutionally sound path to parity could look”.
The SPD, meanwhile, frames better female representation in the parliament as a prerequisite for further reform. “Parity in parliaments has always been our goal. If the electoral law is reformed, it must be only with parity” said Bundestag vice‑president Josephine Ortleb in an interview with the magazine.
Saskia Esken, chair of the Families Committee and former SPD leader, similarly pushes for legal change. “If we reform the electoral law now, we should make sure that women obtain adequate representation in the Bundestag” she added.