CDU politician Philipp Amthor has called on his party to take ownership of feminism, arguing that it should not be left solely to the left-wing parties. Speaking to “Stern” Amthor stated that the issue “is not an exotic or exclusively left-wing concern, but a task for the entire society”. He argued that women frequently face judgment based on criteria other than their merits, noting that when men are judged by their arguments, the focus on women is often drawn to their appearance. He stressed that this requires a general shift in awareness, one that should involve men as well. He added that both the CDU and the broader Union parliamentary group are already firmly aligned with this view, negating the need for “lessons” from the left.
Furthermore, Amthor emphasized the need to defend existing achievements in gender equality, particularly against the AfD (Alternative for Germany). He observed that when listening to what he describes as nonsense coming from the far-right-including claims of biological arguments and overly stereotypical gender roles, such as the notion of women as a “weaker sex”-it is evident that the task requires not just forward progress, but also the active defense of current social gains. While some people might prefer passive ways of protest, such as organizing demonstrations or making signs, Amthor believes that the dimension of everyday life and action is currently undervalued.
It is relevant to note that Amthor has previously disagreed with certain classical feminist demands. For instance, in 2019, he advocated for maintaining the ban on abortion in criminal law and supported the “advertorial ban” for abortions. That same year, he deemed the proposal to mandate a 50/50 division of list spots between men and women in elections-aimed at increasing female representation in parliament-as unconstitutional. More recently, in 2023, he campaigned for a ban on gender-specific regulations within state offices.
