Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Julia Kloecker Urges for a Female Federal President After Steinmeier
Klöckner advocates for a German president following Steinmeier's tenure.
Holding the second-highest office in the country, Julia Kloecker, the President of the Bundestag, is advocating for a woman to take on the highest - as Federal President. She's not alone in this call.
In an interview with "Stern", Kloecker expressed her view, stating, "Since 1949, there have been twelve men on the list of Federal Presidents, and not a single woman. That's the antithesis of equality." She emphasized the need for "normality, even in the highest state office."
The push for a female Federal President isn't limited to Kloecker. Green Party leader Britta Haesselmann echoed a similar sentiment, expressing, "Of course, a woman should finally also hold the highest office in the state." Haesselmann critiques the historical pattern of men being nominated for the position, arguing that it's high time to put an end to this tradition.
Women make up more than half of society. As Haesselmann stated, "Where women are missing, their perspective is also missing." This missing representation can be seen in the power circle of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has only men in his inner circle and only one woman in the coalition committee.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's term ends on March 18, 2027, and he cannot be re-elected. The process of selecting a new Federal President usually involves political parties nominating candidates, followed by an election in the Federal Convention. However, specific names or the current status of the selection process are not yet known.
It's expected that discussions and nominations will heat up as Steinmeier's tenure nears its end. The demand for a female Federal President is growing, and for the first time in German history, it seems the glass ceiling might finally be broken.
The Commission's proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation could gain political momentum, given the current discussions surrounding gender equality and the push for a female Federal President. In the realm of general news, the ongoing democratic debate about who should succeed President Steinmeier and break the long-standing male dominance in this position is generating significant interest.
