Friedrich Merz uses gender-neutral language in Henkel speech

During a speech celebrating the 150th anniversary of Henkel, Friedrich Merz utilized gender-neutral language by referring to “Mitarbeitende” (employees/staff) instead of the traditional “Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter” (female and male employees).

This linguistic shift marks a departure from Merz’s previous political stances. In 2021, he criticized proponents of gender-sensitive language, arguing against the one-sided alteration of the German language. The use of the substantivized participle “Mitarbeitende” is a common method used to avoid gender-specific terms and binary classifications.

In his address, Merz praised Henkel for its long-term success, noting that the company did not require state aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not have to lay off staff during that period.