Merz Pushes Gender Equality but Faces Criticism

Chancellor Merz Becomes Patron of Leadership Equality Initiative

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has officially taken over the patronage of the “Chef:innensache” initiative, a network that aims to promote gender equality in leadership positions across business, politics, and public institutions. Following in the footsteps of former Chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, Merz’s involvement signals an attempt to align his government with a growing demand for equal opportunity at the top levels of decision-making.

The annual conference of the initiative, held in Berlin, marked its tenth anniversary with a keynote address from Merz, who acknowledged that equal representation of women in leadership is not only a moral obligation but also a requirement for Germany’s economic competitiveness and democratic stability. However, his message comes under scrutiny given the gender imbalance in his own advisory team and the broader leadership structures of his party.

A Controversial Advocate for Equality

Chancellor Merz has a long and complex relationship with gender equality topics. In the past, he publicly rejected gender-inclusive language and resisted institutional reforms that promote equal representation. During election campaigns, he criticized the idea of quotas and expressed skepticism about whether women in leadership roles were always selected based on merit.

This past record has drawn skepticism, particularly from critics who point to the male-dominated composition of Merz’s inner circle and the CDU/CSU coalition. In press briefings, the gender imbalance is sometimes even joked about by government spokespersons. Yet, Merz now appears to be embracing the principles of equal opportunity more directly than before, calling gender parity in leadership a political priority and an economic necessity.

Strong Words at Chef:innensache Conference

In his speech at the conference, Merz outlined a firm position: the lack of women in top positions represents not just a social issue, but a missed economic opportunity. He described current statistics as unacceptable, noting that in many major companies not bound by legal gender quotas, leadership teams still report target figures of “zero women” in executive roles.

He emphasized that change cannot rely on voluntary efforts alone and expressed support for binding quotas, arguing that limiting corporate autonomy in the short term serves long-term freedom and fairness. According to Merz, “Mixed teams make better decisions. They’re more resilient and innovative, and they strengthen both companies and democratic institutions.”

His remarks touched on the historical underrepresentation of women, the persistence of outdated stereotypes in evaluating leadership potential, and the continuing lack of female role models in senior positions. He credited initiatives like “Chef:innensache” for addressing these gaps and urged more companies to adopt structured mentoring and internal support systems to accelerate the shift.

Merz Acknowledges Own Party’s Gender Imbalance

Despite his newly sharpened rhetoric, Merz admitted that the CDU still has significant structural issues regarding gender representation. Only a quarter of CDU party members are women, which translates to lower female presence in committees and leadership posts. While his current cabinet boasts near-parity—with eight women and nine men—the broader party apparatus remains heavily male-dominated.

Merz called on women to become more active in political life and encouraged parties to support internal networking and development structures for female talent. He underlined that public institutions must lead by example if Germany is to meet its national gender equality targets, especially those outlined in the Federal Equality Act, which seeks 50 percent female representation in leadership roles by the end of 2025.

Progress Exists but Is Uneven

According to Merz, some progress is visible. The proportion of women in supervisory boards among major companies covered by mandatory quotas has nearly doubled since 2015, reaching 38 percent. In executive boards, the share has more than quadrupled but still lingers below 25 percent. In publicly appointed boards and federal oversight committees, women now occupy nearly half the seats.

However, hundreds of companies outside the mandatory framework still maintain zero female representation in senior management, a situation Merz openly criticized. He stressed that equal opportunity requires not only compliance with regulations but also a cultural shift in hiring practices and internal promotion policies.

The Gender Gap in Political Influence

The contrast between Merz’s public statements and the realities of political negotiations within his government remains stark. The influential coalition committee — responsible for major policy decisions — consists of eight men and only one woman. Critics argue that this undermines the credibility of Merz’s commitment to gender equality, especially when high-stakes decisions are often made behind closed doors.

CDU politician Julia Klöckner addressed this imbalance directly, saying in a televised interview: “When things get serious, it still feels like the men take over. But society has already moved on.”

Looking Beyond Quotas

Merz emphasized that while gender quotas are a necessary mechanism, they are not a cure-all. He pointed to persistent cultural biases, rigid working conditions, and the dominance of male networks as deeper structural challenges. Leadership qualities such as decisiveness and competence are still too often associated with men, he said, even when women demonstrate equal or greater abilities.

He credited the “Chef:innensache” initiative for its role in challenging these norms and offering tangible support to women. Through mentoring, coaching, and educational programs, the initiative has helped shift the corporate culture of over 100 major organizations in Germany.

A Vision for the Future

As he concluded his speech, Merz expressed the hope that the need for initiatives like “Chef:innensache” would one day disappear — not because gender equality had become a trend, but because it had been fully realized. He called on both men and women, in politics and business, to remain engaged and to keep pushing for structural and cultural change.

His remarks reflect a shift in tone, if not yet in structural transformation. Whether this new stance will translate into lasting change remains to be seen. For now, the spotlight is on the Chancellor and whether his leadership will match his words with action.