Germany news: Merkel calls for first female president
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel says it's time to consider a woman as Germany's next president. Meanwhile, Berlin's Left Party is deciding whether to enter coalition talks. DW has more.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for Germany to elect its first female president to take over from current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. No female has ever held the office in the country's 77-year history. Merkel pointed out that she knows women capable of the job but did not name any candidates. Steinmeier cannot seek a third term as president, which will be elected on January 30 by the Federal Convention.
The presidency is largely ceremonial. If a woman were elected president, she would become Germany's head of state. Several women are being discussed as possible successors, including former Economy Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Education Minister Karin Prien, Bundestag President Julia Klockner, and Ilse Aigner, the Bavarian parliamentary speaker.
Merkel criticized the "unpleasant undertone" of the debate and questioned the CDU's identity beyond economic policy. The CDU is expected to form a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Green Party, potentially paving the way for the first Left Party mayor in Berlin. The SPD and Greens have already agreed to the coalition talks, which could start on Monday.
However, the Left Party's youth wing opposes the alliance, favoring a strong socialist opposition instead. Delegates met under tight security in Berlin's Lichtenberg district amid calls for protests accusing the party of betraying voters. Elif Eralp, the Left Party's parliamentary leader in Berlin, is a candidate for mayor, receiving personal protection.
The Left Party won the September election with 25.7% of the vote. The center-right CDU and SPD coalition lost its majority.
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