{
  "id": 16316170,
  "title": "CSU: Merz welcomes Aigner and the party convention cheers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/csu-merz-begru-t-aigner-und-der-parteitag-jubelt",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-24T10:44:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/csu-merz-begruesst-aigner-und-der-parteitag-jubelt/100264674.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Munich: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) warmly welcomed CSU leader Markus Söder and CSU President Ilse Aigner during the opening of the CSU party conference. Aigner, whose party she would ideally like to see as the next Federal President, was mentioned alongside Söder and the leader of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber. The delegates erupted in applause and stood up to greet Aigner, who was seated in the front row. Merz had previously greeted Aigner, as well as Bundesforschungsministerin Dorothee Bär, with kisses on both cheeks as she entered the hall. During his speech on Friday, Söder had again advocated for Aigner as the next Federal President, emphasizing that \"that would be a fantastic thing.\" Aigner has long been considered a potential candidate for the position of Federal President within the CSU. Söder had first brought Aigner into the discussion in early April. The stance of the CDU leadership on Aigner remains unclear, but she made it clear just before the CSU party conference that the candidate question was still open. \"The CDU has not given up on nominating a candidate or candidate from their ranks,\" said party insiders. Merz has not publicly commented on the matter yet, so his speech at the CSU conference was met with anticipation.",
  "summary": "The CSU wants Ilse Aigner. The pressure on the Chancellor is growing to clarify the candidacy for the Federal Presidency. The start of his speech at the CSU party conference is turning into an Aigner moment.",
  "key_points": [
    "CSU leader Markus Söder and President Ilse Aigner welcomed at party conference",
    "Aigner sought as next Federal President by CSU",
    "Söder advocated for Aigner's candidacy in April"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}