(de-news.net) – Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has formally announced the initiation of family law reform efforts, with her ministry actively engaged in the development of new regulatory proposals. She emphasized that the prevailing legal requirement for protracted adoption procedures imposes undue hardship on affected families, particularly in cases involving same-sex couples. Hubig underscored the urgent necessity of establishing statutory recognition for dual motherhood in lesbian partnerships, noting that the absence of such provisions can jeopardize child welfare—especially in scenarios where the biological mother passes away before the completion of the adoption process. In such instances, the lack of legal parental status for the second mother may result in state intervention, including temporary custody and the appointment of a legal guardian, thereby placing additional emotional and administrative burdens on the family.

In the domain of sexual criminal law, Hubig expressed her endorsement of the “yes means yes” consent standard for adolescents, while acknowledging that its extension to adult contexts remains a subject of ongoing deliberation. She publicly identified as a feminist, attributing her political engagement to the persistent structural inequalities faced by women and the widespread incidence of gender-based violence. As part of her advocacy, she referenced the guiding principle articulated by French feminist Gisele Pelicot—namely, that “shame must change sides”—which she regards as emblematic of the broader societal shift required to address entrenched injustices.

With respect to the Bürgergeld welfare system, Hubig categorically dismissed the possibility that sanctions for missed appointments could result in homelessness for families with children. She reaffirmed Germany’s foundational commitment to its social welfare model, stressing that the Social Democratic Party (SPD) remains steadfast in protecting society’s most vulnerable.