An important stage has passed for the successor of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose term of office in Germany will end on March 18 next year. The Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU), chaired by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, met today to officially decide on its presidential candidate.
At the meeting, a consensus was reached on nominating Ilse Aigner, the candidate of the CDU's sister party, the Christian Social Union Party (CSU), for the presidency. After the meeting, CDU Chairman and Prime Minister Merz and Ilse Aigner held a press conference and shared the compromise reached with the public.
If elected, Aigner will be the first woman and the first CSU politician to hold this position in German history.
"THIS POSES GREAT DUTIES FOR OUR NEW PRESIDENT"
CDU Chairman Merz stated that the German political order is under pressure from internal and external forces, and therefore the presidential election to be held on January 30 is important. Merz said, "In a period marked by geopolitical crises, increasing tensions in our society and increasing support for extremist political groups, this poses great tasks for the new president we will elect. For the next five years, it will be necessary to keep our country together, to be close to the people, to give people direction and hope. For this, we need a personality with a clear compass and a clearly audible voice. We need a personality that can withstand the support of the broad political middle of our country." The German prime minister stated that he had held numerous meetings in this direction in recent weeks and months and that he proposed Ilse Aigner as a candidate for the Presidential elections in the Executive Board of his party and this proposal was accepted.
“WITH AIGNER, GERMANY GAINS A PRESIDENT WITH Dignity AND HEART”
Friedrich Merz said: "The positive reactions I have heard from other political parties are also proof that she enjoys broad political support in Germany. Ilse Aigner stands out with her many years of political experience, her high sense of responsibility and her strong commitment to parliamentary democracy. Her clear commitment to the fundamental values of our democracy, her efforts for respectful communication in political discourse and her consistent stance against extremism, hatred and social exclusion. Whichever side she comes from, makes her a worthy candidate for this high office. Ilse "With Aigner, Germany is gaining a president with dignity and courage, a president who unites and guides," he said.
"IT IS LONG TIME FOR A WOMAN TO ASSUME THIS HIGHEST POSITION FOR THE FIRST TIME"
Emphasizing that the German society needs a face of its own, Merz said, "The one who will give it this face will be a woman for the first time in the history of Germany. In my opinion, it is high time for a woman to assume this highest office for the first time, but with Ilse Aigner, we will see for the first time that someone who has received craft and technical training, has professional experience in the field of craft, and therefore knows the reality of life of millions of people in our country, will assume the post of president."
German Chancellor Merz said, "If elected, a Federal President who will defend the interests of democracy and society in our country with his down-to-earth attitude, political experience and clear stance will come to office. A Federal President who can bring people together, build bridges between different social groups and give our country a convincing voice both at home and abroad."
Merz concluded his words with the following words: "Dear Ilse, we will support you on this path, by doing our best until and after you reach this goal."
“I AM TAKING THIS TASK TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER”
Ilse Aigner stated that she was very touched to be nominated as a presidential candidate and expressed her gratitude to those who supported her. Aigner stated that his candidacy is an important signal against populist and extremist forces in Germany and that the support beyond party boundaries is an indication of this. "Our country and our democracy are under attack from both inside and outside. Extremists, triumphalist cries and ideologies are on the rise, division is fueled and compromise is despised. I am embarking on this mission precisely to bridge these gaps, bring people together and perhaps reach out to those who feel excluded. My language will be clear and understandable. My entire political career has been shaped by my great closeness to people, and this will not change in the future," Aigner said.
Stating that she is a part of the people, Ilse Aigner said, "My attitude is clear and against any attack on human dignity. I am trying to put forward kindness as a criterion and thereby restore trust. Both with my heart and mind. I will also give hope and encourage. We need both urgently. Yes, there are problems in our country, but Germany is not a ball of problems, on the contrary, we are a great country with great people. I am working for a new unity and more solidarity on issues that concern everyone, and of course on these issues "As the first woman to hold the highest state office, I represent the promise of social uplift in our country, Germany, with my person and my CV. I look at what can happen in the future with hope, but of course with due respect," she said.
THERE IS THE SUPPORT OF CDU/CSU, SPD AND THE GREEN
Around the time the CDU's decision was announced, its coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), also announced its support for Aigner's presidency. While it is stated that the opposition Green Party also supports Aigner, the majority required for the election of the country's first female president has already been achieved.
The new president will be determined by the election to be held on January 30, 2027.
HOW IS THE PRESIDENT OF GERMANY ELECTED?
In Germany, the president is not determined directly by popular vote, but by the Federal Electoral College (Bundesversammlung), which convenes only for the presidential election. The Federal Electoral College consists of all deputies in the Bundestag and delegates determined by the state parliaments, whose numbers are equal to the deputies. These delegates include state MPs as well as public figures such as mayors, athletes, artists and scientists. While an absolute majority is required to be elected president in the first two rounds of the election, the candidate who receives the most votes in the third round is elected president. The President of Germany, who is elected for a five-year term, can serve a maximum of two terms.
The term of office of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has been serving as the President since March 19, 2017, will end on March 18, 2027.
HE DRAWS ATTENTION AS AN EXPERIENCED POLITICIAN
If Aigner is elected, she will be the first woman and the first CSU politician to hold this position in the history of Germany. Aigner served as Minister of Agriculture in the cabinet of then-Prime Minister Angela Merkel between 2008 and 2013. Christian Social Union party member Ilse Aigner, who held various political positions from state MP to federal minister, was elected to the Bavarian state parliament in 1994 and served as Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Protection in the coalition government under Angela Merkel between 2008 and 2013. Aigner, who left federal politics and returned to Munich in 2013, became Bavarian Minister of Economy.
Aigner was nominated for the presidency by CSU Chairman and Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder. Merz had not previously made any evaluations regarding Aigner, which has been publicly discussed for a while.
