The Berlin youth wing of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has proposed the abolition of marriage in Germany, suggesting it be replaced by a system of cohabiting partnerships.
The proposal, submitted by the Berlin Young Socialists (Jusos), was presented last month in anticipation of a state party conference scheduled for May 8 and May 9. The motion is titled Down with the patriarchy, even if it feels romantic
.
In the document, the Jusos characterize marriage as a primary pillar of patriarchy. The group argues that the institution facilitates the oppression of women by cis-men
and limits individual self-determination because of its claim to permanence
.
The motion further asserts that the chauvinistic, capitalist nation-state utilizes marriage as a tool to implement policies that are misogynistic, anti-queer, classist, and racist
.
Proposed Community of Responsibility
The Jusos propose replacing traditional marriage, including all associated laws and tax benefits, with a community of responsibility
. Under this framework, individuals would establish a partnership by filing a joint written application at a registry office, with the union becoming valid immediately upon submission.
The proposal also outlines a simplified process for ending such partnerships. A person could exit the union at any time via a written request, without requiring the consent of their partner.
While the motion acknowledges that many people witness marriage as a romantic connection and are happy in it
, the authors maintain that overcoming capitalism and heteropatriarchy requires radical and solidaristic change
.
Constitutional and Political Context
The proposal stands in contrast to the current legal framework of the Federal Republic of Germany. Under Article 6 of the Basic Law, marriage and the family are placed under the special protection of the state.
Despite the submission of the motion, German media reports indicate that the proposal will likely be postponed until 2027 rather than being discussed at the upcoming May conference.
The internal debate within the SPD occurs as the party faces significant polling challenges. A YouGov poll conducted last month showed that only 13% of respondents would vote for the SPD in a hypothetical election, the party’s lowest level of support since December 2019.
Concurrently, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which emphasizes traditional family values, has seen a rise in popularity. A recent Bild/INSA survey indicated the AfD would win a hypothetical election with 28% of the vote, marking a record high for the party.
