EN
The introduction of the requirement for a particular percentage of women on the electoral lists in elections to parliament causes problems in the context of both EU law and national law. As gender parity would violate the principle of equality, the right to equal and free elections, as well as the general principle of democracy, its inconformity with the constitution must be recognized. Legal and political assessment of gender parity is, generally, the matter of individual choice. In the author's opinion, however, one should not consider this regulation (based on presented arguments) as a step ahead in the process of granting equal rights to women and men. Women would thereby be reduced to gender and men discriminated on the ground of gender. Increased women's representation in parliament would be in interest of all political parties. However, the accomplishment of those political claims in Austria must comply with the provisions of constitutional law. If the requirement of parity of men and women would be introduced, we have to wait for the result of the possible review thereof by an appropriate constitutional court.