Union presidential candidate Aigner presents herself in Bundestag, declines AfD visit

Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament. Source: Pool/Getty Images

One day after her nomination, the Union's candidate for the federal presidential election, Ilse Aigner, is presenting herself in the Bundestag. Visits to the coalition parliamentary groups of CDU/CSU and SPD, as well as to the opposition Greens, are planned. Aigner will presumably not introduce herself to the AfD and the Left Party for the time being.

AfD Visit Cancelled Following Criticism

Aigner snubbed the AfD on Monday evening despite an invitation. "Ms. von Storch has publicly described Ilse Aigner's nomination as a poor reflection. This makes a visit to the AfD parliamentary group unnecessary," Aigner's chief of staff Eric Marcuse told the German Press Agency (dpa).

He was referring to an X post by AfD parliamentarian Beatrix von Storch, in which she described it as a "poor reflection" (Armutszeugnis) given the qualifications by which Aigner was, in her view, selected.

Reactions from Other Parties

The SPD presidium praised Aigner's experience and down-to-earth nature, as well as her ability to bring people together. The Greens had expressed similar sentiments about the CSU politician.

Von Storch, by contrast, cited in her criticism on X what she described as Aigner's qualifications: that she is a woman, that CSU leader Markus Söder wants her out of Bavaria, and that she is left enough to also be elected by the SPD. That Germany's highest state office is filled in this way, she wrote, is a poor reflection.

CDU politician Gitta Connemann expressed enthusiasm about Ilse Aigner as a candidate for the highest state office. She stands for rural areas, the middle class, and skilled crafts – and thus for "what makes Germany strong."

Left Party Did Not Extend Invitation

According to its own statements, the Left Party did not invite Aigner. Parliamentary managing director Ina Latendorf told dpa: "She is not coming tomorrow. No invitation was issued. If she would like to introduce herself, she is welcome to do so."

Söder Also to Attend Presentation

Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz, as well as CSU leader Markus Söder, will also be present at the presentation in the Union parliamentary group (3:00 p.m.). Joint statements with Aigner, Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei, and CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann are planned before the meeting (2:45 p.m.). Aigner will then proceed to the SPD (4:00 p.m.) and the Greens.

Read also

• Section: Germany — Federal Presidency: Merkel praises Aigner's nomination as "historic" – Left Party intends to nominate its own candidate

The CDU nominated Aigner on Monday for the election on January 30. The CSU politician is now the joint candidate of the Union parties to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The leadership of the SPD and the Greens have already assured her their support.

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