Embraces shared maternity leave for females
In a recent development, Germany's current Justice Minister, Stefanie Hubig, has expressed her disapproval of the notarial "Responsibility Community" project, a concept initially proposed by her predecessor, Marco Buschmann. The project, which aimed to provide a legal structure for individuals who share responsibilities but do not have a romantic relationship, was not implemented due to the collapse of the traffic light coalition in the fall of 2024.
Minister Hubig, who served as Minister of Education in Rhineland-Palatinate before assuming her current role, has stated that feedback from society and scientific communities has shown no need for this new legal institution. She further added that the idea might not have been mature enough at the time.
Meanwhile, there is no information suggesting that Minister Hubig has proposed any changes in family law to allow lesbian couples with children to have joint parenthood from the start. The available information focuses on other topics, such as her condemnation of attacks on judges and her role in recent legal issues.
However, the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD does not foresee any changes in family law regarding the notarial "Responsibility Community." Regarding co-motherhood, the coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to guiding any reforms in family law "by the well-being of the child."
Currently, in Germany, the partner of the woman who gives birth must adopt the child to become a legal parent. This process, according to Minister Hubig, is burdensome and stressful for families. She has expressed a wish to avoid waiting for the Federal Constitutional Court to order changes in family law, hinting at her intention to pursue reforms in this area.
Several German courts have considered the current family law in this point to be unconstitutional. Minister Hubig believes that a change in this area would be sensible, referring to ongoing court proceedings on co-motherhood.
It is essential to note that the notarial "Responsibility Community" was not related to the proposed changes in family law regarding co-motherhood. The project focused on individuals who do not have a loving relationship but wish to take responsibility for each other in everyday life.
As the situation evolves, it is expected that Minister Hubig will provide more details about her plans for family law reforms in Germany. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it would be best to consult official government announcements or recent news coverage specific to this topic.
- Minister Hubig has criticized the notarial "Responsibility Community" project, a concept initially proposed by her predecessor, citing feedback from both societal and scientific communities suggesting no need for this new legal institution.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the notarial "Responsibility Community," Minister Hubig has not proposed any changes in family law to address the issue of co-motherhood for lesbian couples with children.
- In the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD, no changes in family law regarding the notarial "Responsibility Community" are foreseen, but the coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to guiding reforms in family law "by the well-being of the child."
- Minister Hubig has expressed a wish to pursue reforms in family law to avoid waiting for the Federal Constitutional Court to order changes, particularly with regards to the current law regarding co-motherhood in Germany, which several German courts have considered unconstitutional.
