The assessment of CDU and CSU leadership regarding gender equality is drawing scrutiny following remarks by Science Minister Dorothee Bär, who has publicly lauded both Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder as possessing strong feminist convictions. Bär’s statements, published in the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, represent a potentially strategic re-branding effort for the conservative parties amidst growing pressure to demonstrate a commitment to women’s rights and representation.
Bär’s effusive praise of Friedrich Merz centers on his consistent support for women and family-related policies, including his backing of a shift in the Union’s approach to prostitution law. She highlighted his participation as a key speaker at an event she organized addressing the topic of “Sex as a Weapon” which suggests a degree of engagement with complex issues surrounding gender-based violence. When pressed to rate Merz’s feminist leanings on a scale of 1 to 10, Bär went so far as to award him an “11” a score that raises questions about the metrics and criteria being employed.
Markus Söder received even higher commendation, scoring a “12” on Bär’s assessment. She pointed to his active promotion of women within the CSU, evidenced by the fact that four of his five deputy leaders are women and his deliberate inclusion of women in ministerial and state secretary roles during coalition negotiations. Söder’s proactive stance on quotas within the party has further solidified Bär’s favorable opinion.
However, the timing and nature of these proclamations are not without potential political implications. Critics argue that such pronouncements may be a calculated maneuver to deflect attention from ongoing concerns about gender inequality within the CDU/CSU and to present a more progressive image ahead of upcoming elections. While the appointments and actions cited by Bär represent positive steps, some observers question whether they constitute a systemic commitment to gender equality or merely symbolic gestures intended to garner favorable publicity. The extent to which these lauded policies truly translate into meaningful change for women remains to be seen and further scrutiny of the parties’ internal structures and decision-making processes is warranted. Bär’s prior role as parliamentary spokesperson for family affairs suggests a deeper understanding of the complexities involved and her current assessments offer a glimpse into the inner workings of a conservative party attempting to navigate a shifting political landscape.