Bundespräsidentin: Erste Frau im Amt – Merz schlägt Aigner als Bundespräsidentin vor

First woman in office: CSU politician Ilse Aigner rumored as Bundespräsidentin candidate

CSU politician Ilse Aigner is being considered as a candidate for the position of Bundespräsidentin, according to sources. CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz announced during an evening dinner with the party presidency that he will propose Aigner for the office tomorrow, following meetings of the presidency and the party's executive board.

Merz plans to present her to the press alongside her on Monday. This move comes after CSU Chief Markus Söder proposed Aigner as a successor to outgoing President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) in April, with Steinmeier's term ending in March of the following year. Merz reportedly met Aigner at his holiday home on Tegernsee in the summer to discuss the possibility of her nomination.

The two are said to be friends, though Merz did not commit to a decision at that time. However, Aigner's name has resurfaced again recently, receiving support from SPD politicians like party chief Lars Klingbeil, as well as state premiers Anke Rehlinger (Saarland) and Manuela Schwesig (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern).