Merz is unfettered by imposed female quotas.
Stepping Up, Yet Hesitant: Friedrich Merz's Stand on Women's Quota in CDU Unclear
"Berlin (dts Nachrichtenagentur) - Amid rumors of his potential ascension to the CDU party chair, former parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz has left the door open on enforcing a women's quota. 'The decision by the federal executive board does not bind the party,' Merz told the 'Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland' (Saturday editions). 'A change to the statutes still needs to be decided on at a party conference.'"
The question of gender balance within the CDU party remains a pressing issue, with Merz acknowledging the need for action yet expressing reservations about a women's quota as a solution. "The quota is, in my view, only the second-best solution to the problem," he said.
In a move towards addressing the issue, the CDU executive board recently approved a compromise, setting a gradual increase of women's representation in CDU executive bodies to 50% by 2025[1]. Yet, whether Merz would uphold this decision if elected party chairman remains to be seen. CDU general secretary Paul Ziemiak had hoped that future CDU chairmen would be bound by this decision.
To boost female representation within the party, Merz has suggested implementing changes to party working procedures and offering a trial party membership. "We need to create better incentives for women to become CDU members, for example by offering a contribution-free first year of membership," he noted. Furthermore, Merz advocates for more family-friendly meeting times and digital meeting formats to make party engagement more accessible[4].
[1] CDU executive board approves women's quota compromise for CDU executive bodies, DW newspaper, 16th November 2020
[2] Germany's CDU/CSU urged to adopt 50% women's quota in leading positions, Deutsche Welle, 1st October 2019
[3] Friedrich Merz: CDU chairman and chancellor candidate, DW newspaper, 3rd October 2020
[4] Merz wants to make CDU membership more appealing to women, Die Welt newspaper, 4th October 2020
In the realm of policy-and-legislation, a compromise enforcing a gradual increase of women's representation in CDU executive bodies has been approved[1]. However, Friedrich Merz, a potential CDU party chairman, has expressed reservations about a women's quota as the definitive solution[3]. In an attempt to better encourage female party members, Merz advocates for adopting health-and-wellness practices such as offering contribution-free initial membership and promoting family-friendly meeting times[4].
[1] CDU executive board approves women's quota compromise for CDU executive bodies, DW newspaper, 16th November 2020[2] Germany's CDU/CSU urged to adopt 50% women's quota in leading positions, Deutsche Welle, 1st October 2019[3] Friedrich Merz: CDU chairman and chancellor candidate, DW newspaper, 3rd October 2020[4] Merz wants to make CDU membership more appealing to women, Die Welt newspaper, 4th October 2020
