Munich, Bavaria – As the mayoral election in Munich approaches, a striking imbalance in candidacies has come to light: out of 13 contenders, twelve are men. This stark reality has prompted Verena Dietl, the prominent SPD politician and Third Mayor of Munich, to voice her concerns about the persistent challenges women face in politics, arguing that the city is long overdue for a female leader.
The Retreat of Women in Politics: A Disturbing Trend
Dietl, who has been a member of the city council since 2008 and became Third Mayor in 2020, responsible for social affairs and sports, expressed her disappointment with the current landscape. “Parties naturally decide who they put forward,” Dietl told AZ. “However, we are currently experiencing a societal trend where women are being pushed back. We have to fight harder again – even for things we thought we had already achieved. It is all the more important that women strengthen each other.”
Her observations resonate with a broader concern about the erosion of progress in gender equality within political spheres. While previous elections saw strong female contenders, the current situation suggests a regression, prompting questions about the underlying systemic issues that continue to disadvantage women.
The Rathaus Experience: Structural Barriers and Undervalued Approaches
As the sole woman in Munich’s top leadership, Dietl offers a unique perspective on the operational dynamics within the Rathaus. She points to the enduring structural barriers that make it difficult to reconcile a political career with family life, particularly with childcare facilities often closing early. While acknowledging some improvements within the Rathaus, Dietl emphasizes her role in advocating for women’s perspectives and encouraging them to speak up, even when confronted by male counterparts.
Dietl also highlighted the pervasive skepticism women encounter. “Women always have to give 200 percent. As a woman, you are questioned more, criticized faster,” she explains. She advocates for a more approachable and direct style of politics, engaging directly with people. However, this approach is often underestimated. “I have often heard it said about me: Can she really bang on the table? I think the days of banging on the table are over. I work here in the Rathaus with round tables, where everyone can speak openly, be honest, and still find solutions.”
Career, Family, and Societal Expectations: A Personal Struggle
Dietl, a mother of two, candidly shared her personal struggles in balancing her political career with family responsibilities. Recounting an incident shortly after the birth of her youngest child in 2019, when she stepped into a leadership role within the SPD, she noted, “Even women said: That’s not possible, you just had a child. No one would say such a thing to a man.” This sentiment, she observes, persists even today. “To this day, I am asked at least once a week: Who takes care of your children? I then answer very dryly: The dad? If I can still manage to get these thought patterns out of people’s heads, that would be a real success.” She proudly mentions that her partner took eight months of parental leave for their first child, which was still a rarity at the time.
The discussion also touched upon the common societal pattern where women often earn less, influencing parental leave decisions. While public administration ensures equal pay, Dietl observes that women often hesitate to pursue leadership positions, questioning their own abilities more than men. She advocates for initiatives like part-time leadership roles offered by the city, urging other companies to follow suit.
The Mayoral Ambition: A Future for Munich
For a long time, Dietl was considered a potential successor to the current mayor, Dieter Reiter. However, the lifting of the age limit by Markus Söder allowed Reiter to run again. While acknowledging a brief moment of disappointment, Dietl accepts Reiter’s decision, stating, “I am at an age where I can imagine it later.”
When pressed on her mayoral ambitions, Dietl affirmed, “I can imagine a candidacy at some point.” She expressed confidence in Reiter’s re-election and noted the strong backing from her party, having been chosen as his replacement with 100 percent of the votes. “Regardless, I think Munich deserves a female mayor,” she declared.
Dietl also addressed the media’s portrayal of Christian Scharpf, who moved from Ingolstadt to become the Economic Officer, as Reiter’s “crown prince.” She suggested this might be another example of men receiving more immediate credit and anticipation in political roles.
The Enduring Need for Quotas and Systemic Change
The conversation concluded with a critical discussion on the necessity of gender quotas in city council lists and top leadership positions. While ideally, quotas should be obsolete, Dietl’s experience suggests otherwise. “I have been with the SPD for 26 years, and we have always worked with quotas,” she stated. “Not only I had to hear: You are just the quota woman. That does not do justice to women’s abilities. But unfortunately, I experience everyday life in such a way that it doesn’t work without quotas.” She expressed pride in her party’s gender-balanced list and welcomed the consensus among mayoral candidates for a quota of female mayors in the city leadership.
Verena Dietl’s insights offer a poignant commentary on the ongoing struggle for gender equality in politics. Her call for a female mayor in Munich is not merely a symbolic gesture but a reflection of deep-seated systemic issues that demand urgent attention and proactive solutions.
