TIROLER TAGESZEITUNG "Analysis" issue of Wednesday, March 8, 2023, by Karin Leitner: "Women in politics: Guts is not male"

Innsbruck, Vienna (OTS) – Shortly before Women’s Day came the women’s issue. Vorarlberg SPÖ leader Gabriele Sprickler-Falschlunger said she was convinced that a man at the head of the party would “not be shot as much” as Pamela Rendi-Wagner. Other red women feel the same way. Fixing the internal criticism of Rendi-Wagner on gender does not go far enough. She has weaknesses as leader of an opposition party.
But the fact is: women still have to “prove” themselves more in politics than men. When Angela Merkel became German chancellor, many smiled at the “parson’s daughter” and said she would not last long in this office. When Matthias Strolz handed over the NEOS chairmanship to Beate Meinl-Reisinger, many thought that she would soon bring the political end to the pink ones. Appearance still plays a bigger role for women than for men: the outfit, the hairstyle. At the beginning of her reign, sweat stains on Merkel’s summer dress were discussed.
Politicians are repeatedly confronted with sexism, primarily in social networks. Women who become emotional, for example during debates on TV, are still classified as hysterical. Men are considered energetic in this case. And to this day, women are seen as too soft, too sensitive and not robust enough for “tough business”.
Top politicians in many countries show that this is wrong. This is also shown by Rendi-Wagner. For months she has defied male opponents. You have to endure being constantly questioned. In view of the situation, many men in high party positions would not have done so in the ZiB2. They cancel when things get uncomfortable.
Rendi-Wagner was hardly as combative as before in the ORF interview when it came to her job. She wants to stay fighting spirit. She doesn’t throw down, she faces – the predictable battle vote against a challenger. Guts isn’t male.