Overview

• SPD women's leader Maria Noichl has urged incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz to ensure gender parity in the new German cabinet, advocating for equal representation across all coalition parties.
• The SPD is being pressed to nominate at least three women as ministers, aligning with broader demands for balanced leadership within the government.
• Noichl has also called on the CDU/CSU to adhere to the same 50:50 gender parity standard in their cabinet appointments.
• SPD women emphasize the importance of retaining Saskia Esken in a prominent leadership role, either as co-chair of the party or in a ministerial position, citing her significant contributions to the party’s past successes.
• Concerns have been raised about the increasing responsibilities of SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil, with SPD women rejecting the notion that Esken should be sidelined following the party's electoral losses.