Germany's search for a female president
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to nominate Ilse Aigner as Germany's next president, and the SPD executive committee has backed her. The Federal Convention will elect the successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 30.
IllustrationThe story so far
On October 31, former Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a woman to succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, noting that no woman has held Germany's presidency in its 77-year history. The Federal Convention will elect the next head of state on January 30, and Steinmeier cannot seek a third term. Several women were discussed as possible candidates, but no candidate had yet been agreed upon.
On November 2, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the next president must be a woman and would propose a consensus candidate from the political center. The CDU's top leadership was expected to propose a candidate on November 9, with Ilse Aigner, Julia Klöckner, Karin Prien and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer mentioned. On November 8, Merz told CDU party heads he intends to nominate Ilse Aigner, a CSU member and president of the Bavarian state parliament. SPD and Green Party representatives had voiced support. On November 9, the SPD executive committee supported Aigner's nomination.
Latest updates
4 updates · newest first- 9 NovNew development
SPD backs Bavarian Ilse Aigner as next German president
Party sources said the executive committee of Germany's Social Democrats supports the nomination of Bavarian parliamentary speaker Ilse Aigner as next German president. Aigner, a member of the CSU, already has support from her party and the CDU, and would become Germany's first female head of state if elected by the Federal Convention on January 30. Germany also marked the 37th anniversary of the Berlin Wall being breached on November 9, 1989.
DW ↗
- 8 NovNew development
Merz to nominate Aigner for German president
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has told CDU party heads that he intends to nominate Ilse Aigner as Germany's next federal president. Aigner, a CSU member and president of the Bavarian state parliament, would replace Frank-Walter Steinmeier when his term ends early next year and would be the first woman to hold the office if elected on January 30. SPD and Green Party representatives have already voiced support.
- 2 NovOfficial statement
Merz says next German president must be a woman
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes the next president must be a woman, after Frank-Walter Steinmeier's second term ends in March 2027. Speaking at a non-public meeting of local CDU chairs, Merz said he would propose a consensus candidate from the political center, according to participants. The CDU's top leadership is expected to propose a candidate on November 9, with Ilse Aigner, Julia Klöckner, Karin Prien and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer mentioned.
- 31 OctNew development
Merkel calls for Germany's first female president
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a woman to succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, saying no woman has held Germany's presidency in its 77-year history. The Federal Convention will elect the next head of state on January 30, and Steinmeier cannot seek a third term. Several women are being discussed as possible candidates, but no candidate has yet been agreed upon.