On International Women’s Day, the Union parliamentary group’s political spokesperson, Susanne Hierl of the CSU, reiterated the call for a sex‑buying ban in Germany. She told “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” that prostitution “in large part operates under unsustainable conditions” and that the government should try a ban. Hierl argues that allowing buyers to escape punishment is the wrong approach. She is joined by Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and Health Minister Nina Warken, both CDU, who have also voiced support for the prohibition.
Hierl stressed the importance of helping prostitutes leave the industry. “We will probably never eradicate prostitution completely, but we should support women and provide them with exit options” she said. “They need to know that they are not forced into sex work and that there are alternative ways to earn a living”.
The proposal aligns with the Nordic model, which criminalises the purchase of sex and its organised mediation while decriminalising the sex workers themselves. It offers comprehensive support to help them transition to other livelihoods. Several European countries, plus Canada and Israel, already apply this framework, whereas the SPD rejects it and therefore the model is not part of the coalition agreement.
