Politicians are fighting sexism: A look at the Bundestag election 2025!

Politicians are fighting sexism: A look at the Bundestag election 2025!

The election campaign before the 2025 Bundestag election increases increasingly and does not remain without controversy. Politicians from Mainz, Worms and Bad Kreuznach report terrifying experiences with sexism that they have to have in their everyday political life. In particular, the direct candidate Luca Kraft is present in Mainz and is faced with esteemed comments that only address her gender. Comments like "Women do not belong in politics" and attacking insults about their appearance are the order of the day. In addition, their election posters are often deliberately destroyed or disguised, which illustrates the extent of the hostility.

In politics, unfortunately, it is not uncommon for politicians to be taken less seriously. Older men often look for contact with male companions instead of contacting women who run for the political mandate. Julia-C. Stage, another direct candidate of the left from Worms, is even confronted with the question of whether she is neglecting her children, which in the eyes of many confirms the outdated stereotypes of gender roles.

experiences of the politicians

Not all politicians have had the same experiences. Regine Kircher, direct candidate of the Greens in Bad Kreuznach, tells of her positive experiences so far. However, she suspects that her age, in her early 60th, plays a role, while the 55-year-old Nicole Höchst gives Höchst, not experiencing sexist hostility in personal contact, but is exposed to insults on the Internet. Ursula Groden-Kranich from the CDU also reports about offensive comments and immoral touches that she had to experience during her long-term political career. In order to deal with these attacks, it has developed strategies: humor and direct confrontation.

Despite the lack of harsh hostility, the politicians are determined to go on their way and emphasize the need for female role models in politics. It is an indispensable message that is supposed to strengthen diversity in the political landscape.

gender question in society

According to the study, 73.5% of respondents in Germany see men in difficult situations as assertive, while 69.3% perceive women as emotional. The expectations of politicians: Inside, there are also clear preferences in society, whereby integrity and honesty as well as specialist knowledge in political and economic issues being regarded as essential properties.

Despite the hostility and the deeply anchored stereotypes, the voices of the politicians must not fall silent. It is necessary to continue the discussion about gender justice in politics and to draw attention to the challenges that women face in this area. The work of the politicians is crucial for the creation of a more inclusive and fairer political landscape in Germany, as well as swr and SPIEGEL represent. The research results of the iu International University also underline the need for changes in the gender discussion of political practice.