Resignation to the scandal: CDU politician under pressure!

Resignation to the scandal: CDU politician under pressure!

Markus Kurz, the Parliamentary Managing Director of the CDU in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, surprisingly resigned today. The trigger for this step are serious allegations for sexual harassment that are related to an incident during a summer festival in the state parliament. Here, briefly admitted that he had misjudged the Situation and admitted that he had violated the feelings of an affected employee. He announced that he personally apologizes to her what he considered necessary in order to reduce the damage caused, according to the reporting of Süddeutsche .

The incident took place during an event, to which MPs, employees and guests were invited. Shortly is accused of being unreasonably close to another group of another fraction by being said to have put his finger in her mouth from considerable amounts of alcohol. This act was perceived by the person concerned as a massive border violation, which underlines the severity of the allegations. When asked about the incidents, the CDU parliamentary group leader Guido Heuer also commented and respected his party colleague's decision. "The allegations weigh heavily," says Heuer.

A look at the larger problem

This incident is not isolated. Similar reports on abuse of power and sexual harassment also reach us from other political institutions. For example, intern Sophie Lehnert spoke of an assistant by an assistant by a German MP after a party in the EU Parliament. It describes a border -violating incident and speaks of withdrawal of its dignity. This is not an isolated case: A survey by the Metoo EP initiative shows that almost 50% of the surveyed bullying and 15% sexual harassment at work have experienced, according to the research of Correctiv

Women in political institutions repeatedly fight against a culture of silence and fear. Many feel unsafe to describe their experiences because they fear negative consequences. The existing regulations that are often opaque do not offer the necessary protection to gain the trust of those affected.

necessary changes

whether in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt or in the EU Parliament-it is clear that the political structures have to be revised. The resignation of Markus Kurz symbolizes the need to take sexual harassment in politics seriously and to make decisions consistently. The time of looking away must have an end. A strong voice is needed for the protection and the rights of all employees so that such incidents do not become normal.

The resignation of short is not only the end of his career, but could also be the beginning of a controversial discourse on dealing with such allegations in politics. It remains to be hoped that this incident will encourage other politicians to act responsibly and to communicate clearly instead of being lost in the shadow of power and alcohol.