Ilse Aigner tipped by party allies as next German president
German media reports suggest that Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner's chances of becoming the next president are on the up. Long favored by her Bavarian CSU, now it seems Christian Democrats nationwide plan to back her.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly backing Ilse Aigner, the current speaker of Bavaria's parliament, as the next German president, according to multiple German news outlets. The CDU, led by Merz, and their Bavarian sister party, the CSU, favor Aigner for the role, which is seen as more ceremonial than political. If elected, Aigner would be the first woman and the first CSU politician to hold the position.
Current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is set to conclude his second five-year term in January 2027. The Bundesversammlung, a committee comprising all Bundestag members and representatives from Germany's regions, will vote on Aigner's nomination. SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil has indicated that his party would support Aigner if the CDU/CSU officially backs her candidacy.
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