Busting the Glass Ceiling: Why Germany Needs a Female Federal President by 2027
- by Kay Jered Schadewald
- ~ 4 Min
The Head of State Advocates: Female Occupant for Bellevue Castle in 2027 - Female presence in Bellevue Castle in 2027: Justification and significance
casual Carsten Linnemann recently dropped a bombshell on "Miosga": "I'd be thrilled if we had a female Federal President soon. She'd do Germany good." Was it sincere, or aPublic Relations stunt? Given the predominance of male occupants in key federal positions, with women often relegated to minor roles, doubts linger. Could a woman ascend to the Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the Federal President, by 2027?
Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz crystallized the hope in a chat with stern: "I'd be over the moon if we elected a woman to the Bellevue Palace in 2027." Bundestag President Julia Klöckner champions this movement towards gender parity: "Since 1949, only men have graced the list of Federal Presidents. That's not equality. Normalcy's due in the highest office." Klöckner applauds the coalition partners' deliberations regarding the nomination of a woman: "It's long overdue."
But Klöckner isn't alone. Britta Haßelmann, chairwoman of the Green Party faction, questions the timing: "Why now? And why is this question even being asked more than 75 years after the founding of the Federal Republic? Of course, a woman should finally assume the nation's supreme office." Haßelmann also criticizes the previous practice: "Too often, women were overlooked for candidacy despite it being apparent that a man would again occupy the office."
Moving the Needle: Women in Politics
Haßelmann calls out the past lackluster performance: "Women make up more than half of society, yet they're underrepresented in politics. Their perspective is often missing, leading to a skewed political landscape."стримынгGenerationDefenseЛидерствоМолодоепоколение
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a seasoned FDP politician and former chairman of the Defense Committee, suggests a solution: "Why not put only women up for the race in 2027? There are plenty of qualified women to choose from." Strack-Zimmermann highlights the double standards in public: "If a woman fails or appears unfavorably on television, it becomes a controversy, while some male colleagues can show off their hairy calves in socks on talk shows."
This gender bias perpetuates a culture that discourages women from pursuing political careers, weakening political talent and shaping the gender image of young people.
The Union's Gender Gap
An Example of Persistent Inequality
Haßelmann sees evidence of persistent gender inequality in the new power dynamics of the federal government: "The delay of such a signal underscores the urgency. The federal chancellor's power circle consists only of men, and in the coalition committee, there is only one woman from the SPD. In 2025."
Meanwhile, Strack-Zimmermann challenges the Union's track record: "The Union has had a female chancellor, yet it seems the impact hasn't spread within its own party." Strack-Zimmermann underscores the importance of female role models: "Especially young people look up to their role models, and typically, they look within their own gender. A woman as head of state would serve as a role model for young women, as well as young men."
Who Could Be Germany's First Female Federal President?
The prospect of a female Federal President is no longer theoretical; potential candidates are emerging. Ilse Aigner, the incumbent President of the Bavarian Landtag and a former Federal Minister of Agriculture, is frequently mentioned. The CSU politician is renowned for her conciliatory demeanor and cross-party appeal. Moreover, persistent rumors suggest a side agreement to the coalition contract, granting the CSU the right to propose the Federal President.
Julia Klöckner, who like Aigner served as Federal Minister of Agriculture, is also in the running. Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, and Karin Prien, Minister of Education and Families in Berlin, are additional contenders with progressive profiles.
Beyond politics, societal voices from various media are being discussed, such as TV moderator Dunja Hayali, with Iraqi roots and a strong stance against racial discrimination, and authors Carolin Emcke and Rachel Salamander, known for embodying values like diversity, courage, and tenacity – qualities that Germany desperately needs at this juncture.
Could Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Become Germany's Federal President?
When asked if she envisions herself in the role, Strack-Zimmermann chuckles: "Of course. I'd be more awkward, perhaps even challenging, but always sincere, open, and straightforward—because what the world doesn't need in these times are frills or even worse, political clichés."
Whether a woman will ascend to the Bellevue Palace depends mainly on the Union. As the Federal Assembly, composed of the members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the state parliaments, decides its candidate, if the Union doesn't back the movement, a man will occupy the Bellevue Palace after Steinmeier.
- Women
- Malu Dreyer
- Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
- Bellevue Palace
- Germany
- Federal Government
The Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament, as part of the European Union, have a vital role to play in the progress of women's health and women's policies. They can advocate for science-based health-and-wellness policies that address the specific needs of women, shaping a more balanced political landscape.
In Germany, the push for gender parity in the Federal Government is gaining momentum. Notable figures like Malu Dreyer and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann are potential candidates to be Germany's first female Federal President, aiming to break the historical dominance of men in the Bellevue Palace.
The European Parliament, alongside German political parties, can use this general news event as an opportunity to foster discussions on women's representation in policy-and-legislation, encouraging more women to take active roles in national and European politics.
