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Söder pushes Aigner for German presidency as CDU maintains its own claim
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CSU leader Markus Söder has intensified pressure in the debate over Germany's next federal president, arguing his party is overdue to fill the country's highest office after 75 years without a CSU chancellor or president. He continues to promote Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner, 61, as his favored candidate, saying she possesses undisputed democratic, personal and character qualifications, and that a law degree is not required. Söder insisted the matter is not about horse-trading over posts. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a roughly 50-minute speech at the CSU party conference, did not address the timing or process for deciding the candidacy, though he greeted Aigner by name, prompting applause and a standing ovation from delegates. CDU leadership had sought to slow the CSU, stating it has not abandoned its claim to nominate a candidate from its own ranks. Aigner has not publicly commented on the speculation.
Source report
CSU leader Söder with Chancellor Merz and deputy CSU General Secretary Tanja Schorer-Dremel: Söder advocates for Ilse Aigner as Federal President. Source: Peter Kneffel/dpa
CSU leader Söder continues to advocate for State Parliament President Aigner as Federal President, arguing his party's turn has come. The CDU, however, maintains its own claim to the office.
CSU leader Markus Söder has increased pressure in the debate over the candidacy for the office of Federal President. In 75 years, the CSU has never provided the Federal Chancellor or the Federal President, the Bavarian Minister-President told ARD. "One could actually argue that it's now somewhat our turn."
When asked whether a legal education is necessary for the highest state office, Söder said: "The Federal President does not need to be a notary. The Federal President, of course, must possess authority."
He emphasized that this was not about "haggling over positions." "We have an offer, a personality who is completely uncontroversial in having the democratic, personal, and character qualifications for the office." These qualifications, he said, are more decisive than the question of party affiliation.
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Within the CSU, Bavarian State Parliament President Ilse Aigner has long been considered a possible Federal President. Söder had declared the 61-year-old his favorite months ago and again advocated for her in his party conference speech on Friday. The decision would be made "elsewhere," he said. "That would be a wonderful thing." Aigner herself has not yet commented personally on the matter.
Jubilation for Aigner During Merz's Speech
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said not a word in his roughly 50-minute speech at the CSU party conference on Saturday about when and how he, the Union, and the coalition intend to settle the candidacy for the Federal President office.
The CDU leadership had attempted to slow the CSU down shortly before the party conference. "The CDU has not abandoned its claim to nominate a candidate from its own ranks," sources within the party said.
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Only at the beginning of his speech did Merz welcome Aigner by name, directly after Söder and before the head of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber. The delegates then broke into applause and jubilation, rising from their seats. Aigner, who was sitting in the front row, also stood up and waved with both hands into the exhibition hall in Munich.
Merz had greeted Aigner, as well as Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär, with kisses on both cheeks as he entered the hall.
dpa/eck
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CSU Backs Aigner for German Presidency as CDU Claims Rival Nomination Right