The first answer to this question for most people is: No.
Too much drama. Too much power play. Too much ego – and too little impact. For many women, politics is like a toxic ex – manipulative, loud, self-absorbed. And yet we talk about it every day: about childcare, pensions, care, rights, rules.
We are affected – but not represented. No wonder more and more people are saying: leave me alone with politics. And that is precisely the problem.
Because while democrats give up exhausted, right-wing loudspeakers fill the gap. In many municipalities, no one is running for mayor anymore. The stage is empty. Whoever stands determines what is played.
But: precisely because everything is crumbling, a window is now opening. For women who want to make a difference – but never thought they were “political enough”. For those with attitude, anger in their stomachs and a desire for the future. This is exactly where Love Politics comes in.
Love Politics: For everyone who hates politics - and still wants to make a difference
Sonja Jöchtl from Vienna was Head of Communications at Caritas for ten years and later Managing Director of Forum Alpbach. What did she learn in the boardroom? “Politicians are only human, but they don’t represent everyone.”
So, together with Winfried Kneip, she founded Love Politics: A political training program for people with opinions – not with power. Without a party membership. Without an elite club. With a lot of reality.
You can learn politics - but you also have to endure it
Love Politics is not a weekend seminar with phrases and PowerPoint. It is an intensive, one-year training program for people who want to help shape politics – but have not had access to it before.
Participants invest around 25 hours per month in online modules, meetings and their own project. They learn how politics works – and how to keep a cool head even when things get uncomfortable. Resilience training at the camp is just as much a part of the program as strategy workshops and debate training.
The aim: to make politics tangible. And to strengthen people who bring more to the table than networks – namely experience, perspective and courage.
Who do you meet at Love Politics?
Taibe Qorri, master hairdresser and entrepreneur, was long convinced that politics wasn’t for her: no university degree, no network, no access. But through Love Politics, she found the courage to step in – and was heard. Today, she brings debates directly into her salon and now has a place on the list for local elections.
Nicole Osimk, a social worker from Vienna, is committed to human rights and inclusion. In her project Sonnenklar, she reaches people with and without disabilities – and sees every day how participation fails. With Love Politics, she wants to change that politically. For a society where human rights aren’t just explained but made real.
Catalina Möves, a teacher in Halle, sees how right-wing extremism has already made its way into the classroom. In response, she organized a demonstration – hundreds followed her lead. Now, she’s running for city council. Her goal: to be a voice for those who are otherwise ignored – especially children whose origins are turned into political issues.
Love Politics is for everyone who has never felt seen before – but wants to see something that changes.
5 reasons why you (yes, you!) belong in politics
- Because you can say no. Even to the seventh pointless session.
- Because you know about care work. And know how expensive free labor is.
- Because you don’t have to explain yourself. You’re already qualified.
- Because men have been f* this up for 80 years. Sorry, not sorry.
- Because you can do it. And we need you.
Are you ready?
Then take a look at lovepolitics.net
Or share this article with the woman you think belongs in politics.
🎧 The interview with Sonja Jöchtl is available in the Belle&Yell Video Podcast. Listen in. Have your say. Get started.
What does it cost?
The first program had a budget of around 350,000 euros – financed by foundations, ministries and private supporters. Participants paid a maximum of 1,000 euros. Because political education should not be a luxury.
The next round is now underway: ten new modules are planned to roll out local politics from the bottom up – starting in Thuringia, Germany. Price per module: 120,000 euros. Once again, participants should not have to pay more than 1,000 euros.
The majority is intended to be covered through fundraising – and supporters and partners are currently being sought for exactly that. Anyone who would like to do something for democracy – not sometime, but now – can contact Love Politics directly.
“We don’t want an application portfolio policy. We want real people with real energy.” – Sonja Jöchtl
Why women?
Because politics still looks like it’s 1993 – only with Instagram.
Because women manage everything today – except the city council.
Because 50% of society is not sitting at the table.
And because we are rebuilding the table.
Politik unter Druck (Europaweit)
📉 Declining commitment:
- There is a lack of municipal candidates in many European countries
- Only 8% of all mayors in D-A-CH are female.
- In France, 49% of mayors did not run again in 2020 (INSEE)
- In Italy, voter turnout in local elections is sometimes below 50%
- According to the OECD, 40% of people consider politics to be “largely disconnected from the lives of the population”.
😡 Violence against politicians:
- Over 60% of public officials in Europe report experiencing hostility (EU Study 2023)
- Women and minorities are particularly affected
⚠️ Right-wingers exploit the loophole:
- In regions without democratic candidates, right-wing groups are increasingly taking over local power
- Examples: Hungary, Poland, parts of eastern Germany
💡 New approaches required:
- In Spain, Denmark and DACH, alternative formats such as citizens’ councils and programs like Love Politics are growing.
Sources: EU Commission, INSEE, OECD, Politico, bpb, Körber Foundation, Council of Europe (2023)
Why Love Politics comes at the right time
The crisis of political representation
Our democracy is suffering not only from radicalization, but also from political exhaustion:
- The number of candidates for political office is falling.
- Municipal responsibility is considered a “hate magnet”.
- Women, young people and marginalized groups are massively underrepresented.
The opportunity: creating new approaches
This is exactly where Love Politics comes in:
- Access to political knowledge & networking
- Promoting diversity and experience
- Strengthening resilience & leadership
The aim: to rethink politics – and recast it.
Not with the loudest. But with the right people.
