The SPD in the Düsseldorf state parliament wants to know from the government whether they are planning a quota for women in the state order of merit. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had previously announced that he would introduce a quota of at least 40 percent for women for federal orders of merit.

In a small inquiry, the SPD MP Anja Butschkau now wants to know whether something similar is in mind in North Rhine-Westphalia. The government should also list how often the State Order of Merit - introduced in 1986 by the then Prime Minister Johannes Rau (SPD) - was awarded to women and men.

Federal President Steinmeier announced the new quota on Wednesday and called for more women to be proposed for federal awards. So far, only a third of the orders have gone to women, according to the Office of the Federal President.