Merz's Conservatives Set to Nominate Ilse Aigner as Germany's First Female President
The conservative bloc led by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing to put forward Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner as its candidate for head of state. If elected, she would become the first woman to hold the German presidency.
Germany's governing conservative bloc, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is preparing to nominate Ilse Aigner as its candidate for federal president. If elected, she would be the first woman to hold the office in Germany. The information comes from two officials cited by Politico Europe.
The CDU and CSU sit in the Bundestag as a joint parliamentary group and belong to the European People's Party in the European Parliament. Merz plans to tell senior CDU politicians on Sunday that Aigner will be the bloc's candidate.
Election timing
The second five-year term of current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier ends in March 2027, and he cannot be re-elected. His successor is due to be chosen on 30 January 2027.
The German presidency is largely ceremonial, while the chancellor sets the government's policy agenda.
Backing for the candidacy
Bavaria's CSU premier, Markus Söder, first proposed Aigner as a candidate in April. The CSU has long dominated politics in Bavaria but has never produced a German chancellor or president.
In recent weeks, prominent figures from the SPD and the Greens have also signalled support. Dietmar Woidke, the SPD premier of the state of Brandenburg, told POLITICO's Berlin Playbook on Friday that Aigner is "the perfect candidate" who knows German politics "inside out".
