Merz: Successor to German Federal President Steinmeier should be a woman for the first time

Bundeskanzler Merz — Source: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

For the first time, a woman is to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to propose a female candidate from the political center to the Union.

Merz Makes First Commitment

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made an initial decision on the question of the next Federal President. "I am firmly committed to the position that it must be a woman," said the CDU chairman on Monday evening at a meeting with CDU district chairmen at the party headquarters in Berlin, according to sources in attendance. "I will propose a joint candidate to the party, a candidate of the political center," Merz reportedly continued.

Merz had previously said that he was sympathetic to a female candidate but had not committed himself. Sources close to him had said a few days earlier that he intended to speak with the CDU state chairmen, the minister-presidents, and members of the CDU presidium as well as the CSU before the CDU presidium meeting on November 9.

Consultation Process

Following the presidium meeting, talks would then be extended to include coalition partner the SPD and subsequently conducted with the Greens. The goal is the broadest possible support for the candidate in the Federal Assembly.

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Candidates and Timeline

The CDU holds the majority of delegates in the Federal Assembly and has the right of proposal. CSU leader Markus Söder had proposed Bavarian State Parliament President Ilse Aigner (CSU). However, names such as Education Minister Karin Prien and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (both CDU) are also being discussed as possible candidates. The Federal Assembly will decide on the succession of the current Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in January.

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