It started so well four years ago, at least reasonably well, because it would have been even nicer – keyword gender equality and such – if finally a female Prime Minister would steer the Free State. But Markus Söder made a good start when it came to the quota for women. He was the first Bavarian head of government to bring as many female ministers into his cabinet. At least from the CSU, because the participation of women seems to be about as successful in the coalition partner of the Free Voters as in the Catholic Church.
It’s a tradition in Bavaria that all possible interests have to be taken into account in a state government. The origin was always very important, every administrative district should be represented, every tribe, as the saying goes. Ideally, it should not only be lawyers, but maybe also a craftsman, and if not everyone is older than 60 years, it doesn’t hurt either.
Prime Minister Horst Seehofer took the latter particularly seriously and threw out everyone over 60. With the effect that from now on all those who were offended, known as “the hospital” in the jargon of the state parliament, willingly commented on every real and supposed mistake made by the head of government and his rejuvenated cabinet.
Seehofer’s predecessor Günther Beckstein carried the superlative that he was the first evangelical prime minister in Bavaria, which as a special characteristic of a head of government will only become really interesting in two or three decades, when the exodus from the Christian churches continues like this. Söder is also Protestant, as is the new Science Minister Markus Blume, so the two belong to a fringe group in the CSU cabinet ranks.
Just like the women, to shed light on other exceptional cases. Unfortunately, apparently they are. Because from a female point of view, the cabinet reshuffle is a clear step backwards. There are now four women ministers from the CSU compared to seven ministers plus the prime minister. Not counting the gentlemen from the Free Voters. And the new Minister for Social Affairs, Ulrike Scharf, as Chairwoman of the Women’s Union, doesn’t make up for that either. Apparently, only a women’s quota helps. And maybe even a prime minister.