Just 20 years ago, current SP Council of States member Daniel Jozic believed that the advancement of women was a good thing. In a letter to the editor in 2000, Jozic wrote that the gender quota had “definitely practical benefits” for men: “After the introduction of the quota, we can run for the positions available to us with a clear conscience and without the risk of becoming a” female killer “, which is at least 50 percent.”
Now that the principle of equality is directed against him, Jozic feels discrimination. He considers it unfair that the SP wants to nominate only women for the post of Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga. His election would mean that only two women would be represented on the Federal Council, but that doesn’t bother him.
Jozic’s frustration is understandable. Not least because the SVP has erroneously gotten away with the debate over the number of women in the Federal Council: the Swiss People’s Party has never nominated a member of the Federal Council, with the exception of Evelyn Widmer-Schlumpf, who was elected against the will of the party. .
Nevertheless, the question arises whether Jozic’s letter to the editor was more than just empty talk. Because it should have been clear to him: equality means that men lose their exclusive rights to leadership positions. That is the point.
Perhaps he — and other men who are threatened by women’s claims to leadership — take comfort in the realization that once equality is achieved, there will be as many mediocre women in leadership positions as there are men. So we’ll all have a good reason to complain, whether it’s the boss or the boss.