The German CDU's "Frauenunion": Self-Perception as a Critical Actor Against Right-Wing Anti-Feminism and Its Role in Democratic Resilience

The CDU in Germany is increasingly confronted on its right flank by more conservative and extreme positions on gender politics, particularly from the AfD. This shift is evident in both parliamentary settings and public debates, with frequent discussions about a rightward discursive shift. Democratic conservatism in the CDU is under pressure to maintain a "firewall" against authoritarian, far-right, or radicalized conservatism. Gender equality politics have become a key battleground for these dynamics. Anti-feminism is often interpreted as a bridge through which far-right positions infiltrate the center of the conservative spectrum. This paper investigates the potential of the CDU Frauenunion as a "critical actor" in fostering democratic resilience against anti-gender campaigns in Germany. As anti-feminist discourses gain traction, particularly in the political space influenced by the far-right, the Frauenunion occupies a unique and complex position within the conservative spectrum. Representing a center-right political organization with commitments to both conservative values and women's representation, the Frauenunion is increasingly challenged to navigate tensions between feminist, conservative, and anti-feminist discourses. This paper explores the Frauenunion’s potential role in or blurring boundaries between conservative and right-wing anti-feminism or resisting the infiltration of anti-gender narratives into mainstream democratic politics while examining its limitations in acting as a progressive force for gender equality. The study adopts a poststructuralist understanding of subjectivation to analyze the interplay between discursive offers and individual and collective identity formation within the Frauenunion. The paper focuses on how Frauenunion members individually and collectively negotiate their roles amidst conflicting ideological demands, drawing attention to the paradoxical alignment of conservative feminism with anti-gender politics. This study, part of an ongoing PhD project, employs qualitative methods, including narrative interviews with Frauenunion members and a discourse analysis of its magazine, Frau & Politik. These data sources will uncover how Frauenunion members interpret, resist, or adapt to discursive subjectivation offers. By examining these processes, the paper aims to identify pathways for resilience and the limits of the Frauenunion’s agency in counteracting anti-gender narratives. The study contributes to the emerging literature on democratic resilience by integrating a gendered perspective, addressing gaps in understanding how gender politics intersect with anti-democratic pressures. Furthermore, it situates the Frauenunion as a microcosm of broader tensions within conservative politics, offering insights for other contexts where democratic values are under threat from anti-gender discourse. This paper aligns with the workshop’s themes, including understanding actor constellations in preserving democracy from a gendered perspective. By exploring the Frauenunion’s ambivalent self-perception, the paper highlights the challenges and opportunities of fostering democratic resilience within the conservative spectrum. It calls for further examination of how center-right actors can uphold democratic values while navigating tensions between tradition and equality, offering a nuanced perspective on the possibilities for democratic renewal amidst rising anti-gender campaigns.