German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is committed to ensuring that a woman succeeds Frank-Walter Steinmeier as federal president. Merz had previously expressed support for Germany electing its first woman to the office, but had not ruled out other possibilities. He is now quoted as saying: “I am decided.”
The CSU wants to nominate Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, and has already received support from some Social Democrats and Greens, according to the report. Names mentioned within the CDU include Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Education Minister Karin Prien, former CDU leader and defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, and Ines Claus, head of the CDU parliamentary group in Hesse.
The next federal president is due to be elected on January 30, 2027. Steinmeier has also warned parties to confront antisemitism throughout their organisations, as coalition talks between The Left party, the SPD and the Greens begin in Berlin.
Sources: FAZ.