Merz to nominate Aigner as Germany's first female president

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 11:42 · Archive

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will nominate Ilse Aigner, a Bavarian politician, as the country's next president.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced over the weekend that he will nominate Ilse Aigner for the position of German federal president. Aigner, currently speaker of the Bavarian state parliament and a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), would be the first woman to hold the office if elected. She will succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Social Democrat who will reach the limit of two five-year terms in March 2027.

Aigner, 61, began her political career in local politics before being elected to federal parliament in 1998. She served as agriculture and consumer protection minister under former Chancellor Angela Merkel from 2008 to 2013 before returning to Bavaria, where she became speaker of the state parliament in 2018.

Merz will officially present Aigner's nomination to CDU and CSU party leaders on Monday for approval. The governing coalition comprises the CDU, CSU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has already voiced support for her candidacy. Since the coalition commands a majority in the Federal Convention, her election is considered highly likely. The convention will vote on 30 January 2027. Germany's president holds a largely ceremonial role, signing legislation and formally appointing ministers, but is regarded as a moral authority and symbol of national unity.

How it is being reported

• Germany: CDU names Ilse Aigner as candidate for presidentThe steering committtee of the CDU have announced Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner as presidential candidate. This gives her a good chance of becoming the first woman to occupy the role.DW News · 9 Nov, 12:11
• Who is Ilse Aigner, leading candidate for Germany's next president?She would be the first female president and the first Christian Social Union politician to hold Germany's highest office. Ilse Aigner is the favored candidate for the Federal Convention vote on January 30.DW News · 9 Nov, 11:11
• Chancellor Merz to nominate Aigner as Germany’s first woman presidentIlse Aigner, speaker of the Bavarian state parliament, belongs to the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) party.Al Jazeera · 8 Nov, 23:39
• Germany: Chancellor Merz to nominate Aigner for presidentGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that he will nominate Ilse Aigner for federal president, paving the way for her to be the first woman to hold the office. DW has more.DW News · 8 Nov, 19:43

In this story: Friedrich Merz · Ilse Aigner · Frank-Walter Steinmeier · Angela Merkel · Germany · Bavaria · Christian Democratic Union · Christian Social Union

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