Federal President: "Neither decision nor proposal": Merz brakes speculation about Steinmeier's succession
Right in the middle of the Chancellor's Asia trip, the news breaks of a possible candidacy by Ines Claus. A clarification follows from Merz's camp - the CDU leader is sticking to his plan.
German Chancellor is having dinner with Singapore's Prime Minister when news breaks that Ines Claus, a CDU politician from Hesse, may become the next German President. The CDU had planned to discuss the succession of Frank-Walter Steinmeier on November 9. The Chancellor's office clarified that he has made no decision or proposal, and the CDU still intends to nominate a candidate.
This is seen as a message to Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, who has been promoting Ilse Aigner. The Chancellor wants an "orderly process" with a target date of the CDU presidium meeting on November 9.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
