Cabinet and Chancellery: Men’s team around Merz – “Some things are as they are”

Fewer women than men work in the cabinet of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and in his staff, but changes are probably not planned for the time being. “You can assume that we are aware of the composition,” said deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille. “But some things are as they are.”

When asked whether the Federal Chancellor has less trust in women, Hille said: “I don’t assume that. He has one himself, he has several daughters. The Chancellor works well with women.” Incidentally, if one also looks at the ranks of the state secretaries, “numerous women are at work in the federal government.”

Minister of Women: Parity remains the goal

Ten men and eight women sit in the Merz cabinet. In the Chancellery, too, more men than women are represented in important positions. All three government spokesman are also men. The coalition committee-the second central decision-making committee of black and red-should belong to ten men and one woman.

Merz ‘party colleague Karin Prien sees a need for change. “As Minister of Women, who is also responsible for equality, I tell you that parity still has to be a goal,” said Prien of the German Press Agency. “Of course it’s always about competence, but it is about competence in women and men.” Her experience is that equally occupied coalition committees worked well.

For you as a CDU politician, this means: “We obviously have to strive for and fight for more positions such as party chair, general secretary and similar positions so that we are then represented accordingly in these committees.” Women should be louder in the government and in the party and represent their positions, said Prien.

For the first time a federal president?

The deputy CDU general secretary Christina Stumpp sees the time for an important step: “76 years after the foundation of the Federal Republic, it is time for a woman at the head of our state,” said Stumpp of the dpa. “It would be a very strong signal if we would choose a woman to the Federal Presidential Office for the first time in early 2027.”

The second term of office of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier ends on March 18, 2027. It cannot be re-elected. There have been twelve federal presidents since 1949, but no woman in this office yet.

Stumpp recalled that the CDU in 1961 with Elisabeth Schwarzhaupt provided the first Federal Minister and with Angela Merkel the first Chancellor in 2005. “Our country has many excellent women who are suitable for the highest state office,” she said.