About four months before the next local elections in Bavaria, SPD in the state parliament comprehensive modernization of the Bavarian municipal code. “It is important to make local politics attractive and modern so that many people are willing to apply for volunteer work in the regions. For example, the proportion of women in regional councils is very low,” said the parliamentary group’s draft law, which is still going through the parliamentary process.
Better compatibility between family and volunteer work is needed
In particular, the SPD motion calls for a legal right to exemption from previous employment for every city or town council. Until now, this guarantee of exclusion does not apply to all professions. In addition, local council members who work part-time should be able to be compensated for their time caring for children, caring for relatives, or running the household. This should ensure better compatibility Family and volunteerism is possible.
“Democracy lives locally – in cities, districts and communities. That’s why we must create framework conditions so that more people can get involved. Family and work must be more closely aligned,” said local political spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, Christiane Feichtmeier. To attract the younger generation to the world of politics, more attention must also be paid to their living conditions.
Concerns about a lack of applicants were also heard from CSU
According to the SPD’s wishes, the new law will come into force on March 1, 2026 – one week earlier. Regional elections. However, it is questionable whether the opposition faction’s proposal will get a majority in the state parliament. City council president Uwe Brandl (CSU) also recently complained about the lack of applicants for city and town council members.
In many communities in Bavaria There has long been a problem across party lines in finding volunteers willing to get involved in local politics. The proportion of women in particular is too low. Only 22 percent (7,056) of the 31,780 local councilors in Bavaria are women – only 106 of the 1,232 professional mayors are women (8.6 percent).
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251113-930-285674/1
