Working mums focus of German poll

There are 2.6 million more women registered to vote than men in Germany

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- Henrike Bauer has two children and used to work as a translator. She and another working mother took turns taking care of each other's children.

Both women were unable to find a kindergarten they were happy with, so eventually they opened their own.

"I think it's a big problem to continue earning money and having kids and having, well, having your kids taken care of properly," says Bauer.

Working mothers have become a central issue in Germany's election campaign. Women here make up 42 percent of the work force, and politicians are trying to find solutions for women like Bauer.

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The ruling Social Democrats say women want to combine family and work and have instituted a monthly payment of 150 euros per child.

This is seen as a bonus, not a subsidy to stay at home, the government says. The Social Democrats want to increase this payment to 200 euros.

"We think the best for the children is if the mother is satisfied and can work and can take care for the children both. And we want to help to combine both," says Edith Niehuis of the German Family Ministry.

The Christian Democratic Union candidate for family minister, Katherina Reiche, knows this issue very well.

Reiche is a 29-year-old unmarried mother, an educated biochemist and member of Parliament.

She speaks out for family values and argues for a sliding scale of child subsidies, starting with 600 euros each month until a child reaches age three, then decreasing.

"I want to stress that I don't support the government's idea of family: the part-time working happy mother," says Reiche.

Women make up 42 percent of the work force in Germany

"But I want that families and mothers really have the freedom to decide if they stay with the child, and if so how long, or if they return to work."

The Social Democrats say higher subsidies tempt mothers to stay at home and therefore foster a more traditional role for mothers.

There are 2.6 million more women registered to vote than men. This month's election results may show whether they are content with the status quo -- or want change.