Babies in the Bundestag: Klöckner wants to help MPs with children - CDU's Serap Güler Proposes Family-Friendly Measures for MPs with Young Children
CDU politician Serap Güler has proposed several measures to improve working conditions for Members of Parliament (MPs) with young children. In an open letter to Macit Karaahmetoglu, Güler highlighted the challenges faced by MPs in balancing their mandates and family obligations.
Güler proposed a 'right to connect' for MPs with newborns, allowing them to participate in meetings remotely if there are no secrecy concerns. She also called for roll-call votes to be requested with adequate notice and proposed 'voting windows' for procedural votes to accommodate MPs with young children.
Güler highlighted the challenge of consecutive sitting weeks, which leaves little time for family during weekends. She proposed a 'sensible spreading out of sitting weeks' to address this issue. She criticized overly long plenary sessions that last late into the evening, making it difficult for MPs with children to balance their mandates and family obligations.
Güler also criticized the reluctance of committees to hold hybrid meetings, arguing that caring for babies and toddlers can prevent MPs from attending meetings in person. She noted that while mothers in the Bundestag receive maternity leave, fathers are not entitled to parental leave like other employees.
Güler's proposals aim to create a more family-friendly working environment in the Bundestag. She advocates for fixed session ends and remote participation options, similar to a zoom meeting, to help MPs with children better balance their responsibilities. These changes could help attract and retain more diverse talent in politics.
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