Alexander Hoffmann, the CSU state‑group leader, rejected the SPD’s demand to introduce gender parity in the Bundestag through an electoral‑law reform. “I doubt that parity can be achieved constitutionally” he told newspapers of the Bavarian media group. “Even if it were written into the Basic Law, it would represent an overly intrusive interference with parties’ organisational freedom and voters’ electoral freedom”.
Hoffmann is a member of the coalition’s voting‑rights commission. He sees no majority for a Basic Law amendment, noting that it would need the votes of both the AfD and the Left. The CSU politician urged the SPD to stay with its current proposals, saying the coalition’s contract calls for scrapping the flawed “traffic‑light” electoral system. “Candidates who win their constituency must be assured a seat in the Bundestag. Anything else is inexplicable to voters” he added.
Johannes Fechner, SPD parliamentary manager and also a commission member, confirmed the party’s aspirations. “It is important for us at the SPD to increase the number of women in the Bundestag, to ensure representation in every constituency, and to keep the size of the Bundestag from expanding further” he told the same media group.
