CDU Backs CSU's Ilse Aigner for German Presidency, Setting Up First Female Head of State
Germany's CDU has reportedly joined its CSU sister party in backing Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as the Union's candidate to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier as federal president. The 61-year-old former agriculture minister would become Germany's first female head of state and the first with a CSU party card. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil and Greens figures have signaled support, making her election by the Federal Assembly on January 30 appear likely. Official confirmation is expected Monday, though the process exposed CDU-CSU tensions, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized for ceding control of the selection to CSU leader Markus Söder.
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Union backs Ilse Aigner for German president as Merz criticized
A taz.de commentary reports that Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, is set to become Germany's next federal president, with the CDU reportedly joining the CSU in supporting her. The author, Anna Lehmann, says official confirmation is still pending and that Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to comment Monday after a party presidium meeting. The commentary argues that Merz mishandled the candidate-selection process, having been repeatedly outmaneuvered by CSU leader Markus Söder, who first proposed Aigner in April. Lehmann contends Merz appeared driven rather than driving and that his personnel planning is inconsistent, but concludes that supporting a strong woman is not a sign of weakness.
Read sourceMerz Falls Into Söder's Trap as Union Picks Aigner for President
The German Union parties selected CSU politician Ilse Aigner as their candidate for federal president, but the process exposed significant tensions between CDU and CSU. According to WELT, Chancellor Friedrich Merz had hoped to delay the decision until year-end and keep internal discussions private, but CSU leader Markus Söder publicly pushed Aigner's candidacy, breaking prior agreements and causing considerable discontent within CDU circles. Merz reportedly failed to control the personnel debate, allowing Söder to dominate the public narrative while the chancellor was pushed into a defensive position. Analysts suggest Söder pursued his own interests: if Aigner becomes president, he can present himself as kingmaker; if her candidacy fails, a potential Bavarian rival is weakened. Despite the public humiliation, CDU sources say Söder's chances of becoming chancellor remain undiminished.
Read sourceCDU Backs Ilse Aigner for German Presidency After CSU, WELT Reports
According to WELT, the CDU has followed the CSU in deciding to support Ilse Aigner (CSU) as Germany's new Federal President. WELT politics editor Nikolaus Doll said that CDU leader Friedrich Merz "was indeed a driven man" in the process, and that since late April there have been signs that CSU leader Markus Söder wanted to put Aigner in pole position for the role. The report frames the decision as the outcome of maneuvering by Söder and pressure on Merz, and it follows the earlier CSU decision in Aigner's favor.
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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 sourceUnion to Nominate Ilse Aigner as German Federal President
Germany's conservative Union bloc has decided to nominate Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as the country's next federal president. According to the report, the CDU has now joined the CSU in backing the 61-year-old, and she also has the support of the SPD. The item does not specify a date for the nomination or the vote, nor does it detail the procedural steps involved. The report frames the decision as a cross-party arrangement within the Union and with the Social Democrats.
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.
Read sourceCSU'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.