Overview

• Student Olivia Ebowe confronted the Bavarian leader on BR24's 'jetzt red i', calling the metaphor sexist and asking how he takes equality seriously.
• Markus Söder said he had not expected the uproar, described the phrase as an old German metaphor known to his generation, and pledged not to use it again.
• After apologizing, he highlighted Bavarian measures he says support equality and safety, concluding with the boast, "Wir sind ehrlich gesagt ziemlich geil."
• Advocacy groups and many social media users labeled his response an inadequate 'nonpology', while the student drew widespread praise online.
• Söder first used the phrase in an early-September FAZ interview before the Munich auto show, drawing criticism from opponents including the Greens, and no formal sanctions have followed.