Women are a Mighty Big Force in German Politics

The cultural mores in Europe are so different than in America. I can’t imagine the brouhaha caused by this campaign advert running in the U.S.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and political candidate Vera LengsfeldGerman political candidate Vera Lengsfeld is running this two-page spread, positioning herself “shoulder to shoulder” with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Translated, the tag line reads: “We have more to offer.”

Before we Americans get all hot and bothered that women can’t be serious about politics in Germany, let me share the facts.

German Women in Politics

Presently, in the government of Angela Merkel, the first woman to head the German government; six of the 16 federal government ministries are headed by women; and 44 of the 157 regional ones. Women’s share of seats in municipal councils is about 25 per cent.

Today 32.2 per cent of all members of the German Bundestagare women, and in the regional parliaments it is 32.9 per cent.

I will pull America’s comparable numbers, but we all know that the American women are trounced in this discussion about females elected to political office. What are we? Ten percent or some equally embarrassing number?

In Germany, the discussion focuses are how ‘under-represented’ women are in the German government. You got it.

The women seek numerical parity in the number of seats. And they just might get it. Women are getting a new boost in German with the first electoral successes of the Green Party, which stipulates that women must hold a quote number of seats in the party. And unlike the majority of Americans, the Germans are deadly serious about environmental politics.  

Globally, the Cultural Creatives are 65 percent women, and very green. Whether they will take political power in America remains to be seen. If they do, one assumes that significant numbers of women will be visible in public office.

If not, I’m calling Angela Merkel and Vera Lengsfeld to fly Stateside for a little old-fashioned, maternal, tough-love, feminist consciousness raising to the American women who have lost our way.

Do not worry. I promise no disruption of “Gossip Girl”, “American Idol” or “The Biggest Loser”. What’s that dance show?

Just kidding, my dears. You know how I love to tease. But I will publish a little score card for us — American women in politics versus the rest of the world. I assure you: it’s interesting reading.

Alas, I can never run for office in Germany. I just don’t have the right stuff.   Anne