Bundespräsidentenwahl: Merz will eine Frau an der Staatsspitze

In a debate surrounding the successor to Bundespräsident Frank-Walter-Steinmeier, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advocated for a female candidate. During a CDU Circle Chairpersons Conference in Berlin, Merz declared, "I will propose a joint female candidate to the party, a candidate from the political center. I am firmly committed to the fact that she must be a woman."

In the 77-year history of the Federal Republic of Germany, no woman has ever held the position of Federal President. All twelve prior state leaders were men. Merz had previously stayed quiet on the succession debate. His declaration of preference for a woman represents the first time he has suggested a direction. The CSU intends to nominate Bavarian State President Ilse Aigner for the role, garnering support from the SPD and Green parties.

Merz, however, emphasizes that the proposing power within the CDU is the strongest force in the Federal Convention, which convenes on January 30th to decide on Steinmeier's successor. Candidates from the CDU include Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Education Minister Karin Prien, former party chairwoman and Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (abbreviated as AKK), and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

While men were also considered, such as Hessens Ministerpräsident Boris Rhein, Constitutional Court President Stephan Harbarth, and former Constitutional Court President Udo di Fabio, their chances appear to have diminished. The Union and SPD hold a majority in the Federal Convention, consisting of approximately 50 votes from 630 Bundestag deputies and equally many state delegates.

Merz also aims to engage the Greens in the candidate search. A preliminary decision could be made at the next session of CDU governing bodies next Monday. Prior to that, Merz intends to hold discussions with CDU state chairpersons and the CSU. The goal is to reach a joint proposal by the Union parties, which must also be in agreement with the SPD, seen as crucial for a majority.

Some CDU Circle Chairpersons with sympathies for Aigner include Ingo Flemming of Dresden, who stated he has "nothing against" Aigner, and Bundestag member Bastian Ernst of Oldenburg-Land, who explicitly praised Aigner as "a very suitable Federal President in every respect." Christian Carmienke of Lüchow-Dannenberg, Niedersachsen, also expressed support for Aigner, stating, "We should have taken up this proposal early and pushed it forward together, instead of letting a long debate develop."

Merz had hinted at a preference for a woman at the helm as early as August 2025. "I can imagine very well that we will elect a woman as Federal President for the first time in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2027," he said at the Chancellor's Open Day, responding to a citizen's question. However, he remained undecided for months afterward.

In April, CSU leader Markus Söder brought Aigner into the conversation, kickstarting the debate over Steinmeier's successor. The conference revealed no palace revolution among Circle Chairpersons. While attendees showed interest in other topics like relief for citizens and involving the party base in decisions, questions arose about the feasibility of a real uprising from the grassroots.

Some, like Frank Bommert, leader of the CDU in Oberhavel, expressed visible dissatisfaction, stating, "There is steam in the kettle." "Anyone who hoped for a palace revolution will be disappointed," said a Southwestern CDU Circle Chairperson. Calls were made earlier to separate the party chairmanship from the chancellorship, such as from Bundestag member Bastian Ernst of Oldenburg-Land, who demanded, "We have lost a piece of trust. We must therefore focus on how we reassess ourselves."