Ilse Aigner set to become Germany's first female federal president
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed CSU politician Ilse Aigner as successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with the Federal Assembly to convene on January 30, 2027.
KEY POINTS
- Friedrich Merz supports Ilse Aigner as Germany's next federal president
- Aigner would be the first female and first unmarried head of state
- Federal Assembly to elect the president on January 30, 2027
- Aigner is 62 and currently president of Bavaria's state parliament
- She served as a minister under Angela Merkel from 2008 to 2013
Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz has decided to support CSU politician Ilse Aigner as the next federal president of Germany. The decision was made known on Friday afternoon after earlier reporting by Spiegel. Merz announced his agreement on a procedure during an event hosted by Westfalenpost on Friday evening.
Aigner would become the first woman to serve as head of state in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. She would also be the first unmarried officeholder, taking the position without a spouse or life partner.
“We have agreed on a procedure.”
The Federal Assembly, the body responsible for electing the president, will meet on January 30, 2027, to choose a successor to outgoing President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Aigner is currently president of the Bavarian state parliament and enjoys high cross-party respect.
The 62-year-old is regarded as liberal, close to citizens, and down-to-earth. She served in the German Bundestag for many years and worked as a minister from 2008 to 2013 under then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.
More CDU leaders, along with representatives from the SPD and the Greens, have recently voiced support for the trained radio and television technician. Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder had proposed her early on and would now be rid of a rival within his party.
Merz had originally planned to submit an official personnel proposal only next Monday. A consensus has now formed within his party leadership, clearing the path for Aigner's candidacy.
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