Aigner courts CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens in Bundestag while skipping AfD
One day after her nomination as the CDU/CSU candidate for German federal president, CSU politician Ilse Aigner presented herself to the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens Bundestag parliamentary groups on Tuesday. She declined an AfD invitation after AfD MP Beatrix von Storch called her nomination a "poor testimonial." Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder welcomed broad support that could secure a large majority in the Federal Assembly, which elects the successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 30, 2027. The AfD accused Aigner of lacking impartiality; the Left Party said it had not invited her.
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Union seeks broad majority for Aigner as AfD accuses her of lacking bipartisanship
Ilse Aigner, the Union's candidate for the German federal presidency, presented herself to the Bundestag parliamentary groups of CDU/CSU, SPD, and the Greens. She declined an invitation from the AfD. The AfD criticized Aigner for lacking bipartisanship, while the Union is aiming for a broad majority to support her candidacy.
Union Seeks Broad Majority for Aigner as AfD Accuses Her of Lacking Impartiality
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder welcomed support from the SPD and Greens for Ilse Aigner's candidacy for German federal president, saying it could provide a very broad majority in the Federal Assembly, which votes on January 30 to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, presented herself to the CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens parliamentary groups but declined an invitation from the AfD. AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla accused her of lacking impartiality, with Weidel saying she does not understand rejecting a speaking offer when seeking the presidency. Aigner said her main mission is defending democracy under pressure from within and without, and pledged to be "one of them." A Forsa poll found 69 percent of those who know Aigner expect her to be a good president.
Read sourceCSU's Ilse Aigner Presents Herself in Bundestag as Presidential Candidate
Ilse Aigner (CSU), nominated as the Union's candidate for German federal president, introduced herself in the Bundestag on Tuesday, visiting the CDU/CSU, SPD, and Green parliamentary groups while declining to visit the AfD and Left parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder welcomed the broad support, including from the Greens, saying it could secure a wide majority in the Federal Assembly. Aigner, who would be Germany's first female and first CSU head of state, pledged to fight social division as a candidate of the "strong center" and to remain grounded. She refused an invitation from the AfD after MP Beatrix von Storch called her nomination a "poor testimonial," prompting sharp criticism from AfD's Bernd Baumann. The Left's Sören Pellmann criticized the nomination as a back-and-forth between SPD and CDU/CSU and said his party would have preferred an independent, non-partisan candidate, ideally a woman from eastern Germany. The election is set for January 30, 2027.
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CDU's Kiesewetter Demands AfD Apology to Presidential Candidate Aigner
CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter has called on the AfD to formally apologize to Ilse Aigner, the CDU/CSU candidate for German federal president, after AfD MP Beatrix von Storch described Aigner's nomination on X as a "poor testimonial." Aigner declined an invitation from the AfD parliamentary group to introduce herself before the presidential election, citing von Storch's derogatory post. Kiesewetter defended her decision, saying it is understandable that Aigner does not want to talk to a party that disparages her. He accused the AfD of showing contempt for the state and the liberal-democratic order. Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, is scheduled to present herself to the Bundestag on Tuesday. Her election on January 30 is considered nearly certain, as CDU/CSU and SPD hold a majority of about 50 votes in the Federal Assembly, with Greens support signaled. The AfD and Left Party plan to nominate their own candidates.
Read sourceUnion candidate Aigner presents herself in Bundestag, skips AfD visit
One day after her nomination as the Union parties' candidate for the German federal presidency, CSU politician Ilse Aigner presented herself in the Bundestag on Tuesday. She planned visits to the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition factions as well as the opposition Greens, but declined an invitation to the AfD after AfD MP Beatrix von Storch publicly called Aigner's nomination a "poor testimonial," questioning the qualifications behind her selection. Aigner's chief of staff Eric Marcuse said the AfD visit was therefore unnecessary. The Left party said it had not invited Aigner but would welcome her if she wished to introduce herself. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder were expected at the Union faction presentation. The CDU nominated Aigner on Monday for the January 30 election to succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with SPD and Greens leaders already pledging support.