Verena Hubertz: Pregnancy in politics is not a flaw (opinion)

This article was first published by NTV.

“My partner and I are overjoyed,” announced Verena Hubertz on the social network X. Because: The Minister of Construction is pregnant and expects her first child in January. Actually a reason for joy, after all, you usually congratulate expectant parents. However, the SPD politician sees criticism, hostility and malice, as she divides into LinkedIn. “The poor child” will probably not “notice that much of his mother”, are still the more harmless comments. This shows the well -known prejudice against working mothers. This should be normal for a long time – even among politicians in the highest offices.

Hubertz said she would be in maternity protection from December to March, her partner would then take over the parental leave. This makes sense, because ministers are not entitled to parental leave in Germany compared to other employees – but they are on parenthood.

Jacinda Ardern, who became a mother in June 2018 during her term as Prime Minister of New Zealand and returned six weeks later during her term of office.

Compared to Hubertz, the response to Ardern’s pregnancy was mostly positive, nationally and internationally. The then 37-year-old (so old is so old is now) was praised for her courage and her modern understanding of leadership. A survey by a New Zealand news agency showed that a third of the New Zealanders believed that the pregnancy would even have a positive impact on ARDERN’s government work. 40 percent saw no influence, only 20 percent feared negative consequences. Congratulations rained by state and government heads from all over the world.

In Ardern’s case too, there were occasional critical voices, but the positive ones predominate. Ardern mastered her tasks so confidently that her policy was also perceived in Europe. For many women, she also became a model for the compatibility of work and family.

Hubertz, on the other hand, is questioned from the start. In addition to the compatibility of mother role and work, some directly doubt their political skills. She is not the first Federal Minister to become a mother during the term of office – Kristina Schröder did this in 2011 as a then family minister. Hubertz himself calls Manuela Schwesig and Andrea Nahles as role models. The two would have “managed to do this in high political offices”.

But why is that still an issue? Hubertz should not have to justify himself – neither for her pregnancy during the term of office nor for the time she spends with her child as a working mother. Annalena Baerbock also had to listen to a lot of criticism during her term as Foreign Minister because she practiced this position as the mother of two children. Sigmar Gabriel, who became a father during his time as Foreign Minister in 2017, received congratulations – no trace of Häme.

In general, there is little known which male ministerial colleagues became a father during their term. Not because she did not exist, but because it is not interested in anyone and is accordingly poorly documented. Nobody asks how fatherhood affects the work of a minister or how the child can cope with without the father. This should no longer be an issue for women.

Transparency note: Like NTV, the star is part of RTL Germany.