Aigner should become Federal President: “My language will be clear and understandable”

Now things are suddenly happening very quickly: At a preliminary meeting of the executive committee on Sunday evening, Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz officially decided on the Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as the candidate for the federal presidential election. This morning the CDU leadership nominated the 61-year-old, and now Merz and Aigner appeared together in front of the press - for the round of introductions.

"With Ilse Aigner, Germany is gaining a federal president with dignity and heart," said Merz in his short statement as he once again justified the decision in favor of Aigner. He highlighted Aigner's "clear commitment to the basic values ​​of our democracy" and her "consistent stance against extremism, against hatred and against social exclusion".

“The nomination moves me very much”

Aigner himself briefly discussed the decision-making process in the past few weeks and said to Merz: "The Chancellor made it exciting - for me too." She is very moved by the nomination. And Aigner made it clear what she sees as her task as Federal President: "I want to be a centrist candidate who pursues policies to overcome divides. "My language will be clear and understandable."

She promoted confidence. Germany is not a “problem country”. "We are a great country."

“High time” for a woman

Aigner, currently President of the Bavarian State Parliament, would be the first woman to hold the highest state office. It is “high time” for that, said Merz. Representatives of the SPD and the Greens have already spoken out in favor of the 61-year-old. This means that there is a clear majority in the Federal Assembly, which is due to decide on the successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 30th. He cannot run again after two terms in office.