Serpil Midyatli on unequal treatment: “Women are shot sore”

taz: Ms. Midyatli, the Berlin leftist Elif Eralp speaks of fear for her family, and the public doubts her ability to govern - would the reaction have been the same for a male politician?

Serpil Midyatli: I have the impression that women and men are held to double standards. If a woman says she is afraid, she is considered too emotional, but politicians are supposed to be approachable and emotional. What now? Without going into too much detail about the specific case, I find concerns about family and children understandable. I don't know if it would have been discussed that way with a man. But when it comes to suitability for government office, the same standards must apply to women and men.

taz: You have the impression that men are currently storming forward again in the public and political space and pushing women back. How do you determine that?

Midyatli: I'm seeing more and more podiums where only men sit, without anyone being bothered by it. The language and topics also change. Yes, we have a new threat situation as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine, but why is it now primarily men who are talking about technical issues? Security has something to do with how resilient society is, and that requires all groups. I'm also annoyed by how the CDU and the Chancellor are talking about women - they should work more full-time and make a greater contribution. It sounds like we've all been lying in a hammock so far. If part-time rates are high, as in Schleswig-Holstein, there are reasons for this, such as a lack of childcare places or the structure of the labor market. But instead of addressing these problems, we are expected to solve the structural disadvantages individually.

born in Kiel in 1975. At the age of 19, she took over the management of her family's restaurant and later ran a cultural and event service with her husband, with whom she has two children. She has been a member of the SPD since 2000 and, after several local political positions, was elected to the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament in 2009. In 2019 she took over the state chairmanship, which she handed over to Ulf Kampf in 2026. She is the parliamentary group leader of the SPD in the state parliament.

taz: The state parliament in Schleswig-Holstein has a female quota of almost 44 percent, more than ever. In the Bundestag it is less than a third, mainly because of the heavily male-biased AfD and CDU/CSU factions. Is the result in Kiel an exception? Do you fear a setback in the coming electoral period?

Midyatli: I would very much like the next state parliament to have a 50-50 split. Which is easier if the AfD doesn't move in. Women don't automatically make better politics, but they bring different issues and perspectives to the table.

taz: Do you want a female federal president?

Midyatli: It is a strong signal that we want to fill the highest office in the state with a female president. The back and forth between the CDU and CSU was embarrassing. There are many strong and competent women, the Chancellor should have made a decision earlier to prevent a deadlock. I am pleased that many voices spoke up for Ilse Aigner.

taz: Bärbel Bas obviously didn't feel that much support; she also resigned because of attacks on her person. How did you experience the departure of your party friend?

Midyatli: I'm afraid we have to say in general: women are shot sore. Despite the blow of fate that struck Bärbel Bas, the criticism continued. Women are still or again being denied competencies. And when there are no arguments, it's about looks or pure hatred. I think that's crazy, I thought we were further along.

taz: In Schleswig-Holstein, the Green Party Aminata Touré wants to become Prime Minister - even if you of course wish your party victory, is Schleswig-Holstein ready for a state mother again after Heide Simonis?

Midyatli: In the end it depends on what policy is made for women. Our SPD top candidate Ulf Kampf is very committed to equality and families. I hear a lot of plans from Ms. Touré, but she is already Minister of Social Affairs and should have brought more into action during this legislative period.

taz: As party leader in Schleswig-Holstein, you yourself made Thomas Losse-Müller the top candidate five years ago. Now the state SPD is running with one man again. So is the old saying that women only have themselves to blame for not pushing forward true?

Midyatli: You have to make decisions when they come up. At the time I decided that way because there were reasons for the content. This time I applied, but the SPD members clearly voted for Ulf Kampf in the primary election. I'm fine with it. I don't regret either decision.

taz: As a woman with Turkish roots, how do you notice the pressure?

Midyatli: I know that I have to prove myself twice as much. But I think what's happening in local politics is far worse. The internet sets no barriers, and when there is hostility, local politicians in particular become quieter. We need stronger rules to control the platforms and we need to raise awareness that you can't say everything online.

taz: What else should change, what do you want?

Midyatli: If we want to have more women in highest office, alliances are needed. Men cannot achieve advancement alone, and we women also have to form such networks. If a woman's competence is denied across the board, we cannot tolerate it.