Union reportedly to nominate Ilse Aigner as Germany's first female federal president
Germany's CDU/CSU Union bloc has reportedly agreed to nominate CSU politician Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament and a former federal agriculture minister, to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier as federal president. The official announcement is expected Monday, with the Federal Assembly vote set for January 30, 2027. If elected, Aigner would become Germany's first female head of state and the first with a CSU party card. SPD and Greens figures have signaled support, making her election appear likely.
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CDU reportedly backs Ilse Aigner as Germany's first female president
According to reports by Bild, Spiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung, and confirmed by dpa sources within the Union, the CDU intends to nominate CSU politician Ilse Aigner for the German federal presidency, succeeding Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Aigner, 61, currently president of the Bavarian state parliament and a former federal agriculture minister under Angela Merkel, would become Germany's first female head of state and the first with a CSU party card. The Federal Assembly is scheduled to elect the new president on January 30. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil said his party would welcome and support an Aigner candidacy, citing her integrative force and down-to-earth style, and Greens figures have also voiced support, making her election appear secure. The article notes Aigner is unmarried and did not attend university, meaning she would serve as both president and First Lady, and discusses her background, past illnesses, and her relationship with CSU leader Markus Söder.
Read sourceUnion Reportedly to Nominate CSU's Ilse Aigner for German Federal President
Germany's Union bloc has reportedly agreed to nominate Bavarian CSU politician Ilse Aigner, currently president of the Bavarian state parliament, as its candidate for Federal President, according to Spiegel and Bild citing CDU circles. The official announcement is expected Monday. If elected by the Federal Assembly on January 30, Aigner would become Germany's first female head of state after twelve men, and the first with a CSU party card. Reports cite broad cross-party support, including from leading Social Democrats and Greens politicians, making a rival candidacy with winning prospects appear unlikely. CDU state premiers Mario Voigt, Sven Schulze, Michael Kretschmer and Baden-Württemberg CDU leader Manuel Hagel voiced support, with Voigt saying she has what it takes to be Federal President. Aigner herself said she would find it charming to bring the Greens on board.
Read sourceCDU state premiers back CSU's Ilse Aigner for German presidency
Several influential CDU state premiers have voiced support for CSU politician Ilse Aigner as a joint Union candidate to succeed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Thuringia's premier Mario Voigt said Aigner "has what it takes to be federal president," citing her experience and ability to unite the country. Saxony-Anhalt's Sven Schulze, Saxony's Michael Kretschmer, and Baden-Württemberg CDU leader Manuel Hagel also endorsed her, with Hagel praising her broad appeal and empathy amid a rougher political climate. Brandenburg's SPD premier Dietmar Woidke called her "the perfect candidate," and CDU interior minister Jan Redmann also backed her. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the Union will propose a woman. Aigner suggested it would be "charming" to bring the Greens into the process. A decision is expected early next week, with the Bundesversammlung vote set for January 30, 2027.
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CSU's Weber pushes Ilse Aigner for German president as CDU delays decision
CSU deputy leader and EPP chief Manfred Weber called for a rapid decision to nominate Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as Germany's next federal president, succeeding Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Weber praised Aigner's political experience, European knowledge, and her time as federal minister, saying Germany needs a president who can bridge divides and reconcile people. He urged CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder to decide quickly, while accepting internal party deliberations. CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann also endorsed Aigner, citing high regard for her within the CDU, though Union parliamentary leader Thorsten Frei did not comment. Merz has committed to proposing a woman but has not named a candidate; CDU general secretary Franziska Hoppermann did not rule out Aigner. Other CDU names mentioned include Karin Prien, Ines Claus, Julia Klöckner, and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Party bodies are expected to decide early next week, with Merz discussing the matter at a Sunday dinner and a Monday meeting. A Forsa poll found 50 percent consider Angela Merkel suitable, 36 percent Aigner, and 33 percent Thomas de Maizière.
Five Women Tipped as Possible Successors to Germany's President Steinmeier
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to nominate a woman to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with a CDU candidate decision expected early next week. WELT profiles five names in circulation: Family and Education Minister Karin Prien, a CDU vice-chair and Germany's first Jewish federal minister; Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, known for strict parliamentary discipline; former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, a long-serving CDU figure; Hesse CDU parliamentary leader and federal deputy Ines Claus, reportedly a Merz favorite despite low national profile; and Bavarian Landtag President Ilse Aigner, the CSU's proposal, who enjoys cross-party recognition and long federal and state experience. Aigner's nomination would carry political weight, requiring Merz to position himself against rivals in his own party while honoring the coalition partner's proposal. AfD parliamentary manager Bernd Baumann dismissed the discussed candidates as mainstream and unsuitable.
Read sourceMerz backs a woman to succeed Steinmeier as German president
Friedrich Merz intends to propose a joint female candidate from the political center to the CDU for the succession of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to a WELT report. The report states that Merz has firmly settled on the requirement that the candidate must be a woman. The item does not name any specific candidate or provide further details on the selection process or timeline. The statement is attributed to Merz and presented as his intention, not as a finalized decision by the party.
Read sourceMerz backs female 'political center' candidate to succeed Steinmeier
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of a woman to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to a WELT report on the debate over the presidency. WELT politics editor Nikolaus Doll said Merz can no longer simply adopt the CSU's proposal, indicating the chancellor's preference complicates the Bavarian sister party's candidate push. The item does not name any candidate or specify a timeline, and the characterization of the preferred candidate as from the "political center" is attributed to Merz's announcement as reported by WELT. The report is brief and relies on Doll's assessment of the political dynamics rather than detailing the CSU proposal itself.
Read sourceMerz Announces Female Centrist Candidate to Succeed Steinmeier as German President
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the successor to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier should be a woman for the first time. Speaking at a meeting with CDU district chairmen in Berlin, Merz said he is committed to a female candidate and will propose a joint centrist candidate to the party. Merz plans to consult CDU state chairmen, minister-presidents, CDU presidium members and the CSU before the CDU presidium meeting on November 9, after which talks will extend to coalition partner SPD and then the Greens, aiming for broad support in the Federal Assembly. The CDU holds the most delegates and the nomination right. CSU leader Markus Söder proposed Bavarian parliament president Ilse Aigner, while Education Minister Karin Prien and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner are also discussed. The Federal Assembly decides in January on Steinmeier's succession.