Federal Presidential Succession: Support for Aigner is increasing

Support in German politics for Ilse Aigner as a candidate for the office of Federal President is increasing. Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei called Aigner a “very outstanding person.” The CSU politician has proven this over decades in Bavarian and German politics, praised Frei in the Bild newspaper. However, Frei didn't make a full decision yet: He explained that there were of course other excellent women who would undoubtedly meet the challenge.

Meanwhile, others in the CDU have already made their decision. After all three East German Prime Ministers of the party, Michael Kretschmer, Sven Schulze and Mario Voigt, the CDU state leader of Baden-Württemberg, Manuel Hagel, among others, also supported Aigner's possible candidacy. Hagel emphasized that she had his full support.

There is also cross-party support for Aigner: for example, Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) called her a perfect candidate. “Ilse Aigner has everything that makes a good Federal President,” the SPD politician told Politico. "She is approachable. She likes people, can listen and people listen to her." If the CSU politician were suggested, he would be very happy.

Merz has not yet made a decision

The CSU had thrown the name Aigner into the race early on. Recently, however, there had been an increase in voices from the CDU calling for a candidate from within their own party. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Education Minister Karin Prien and former CDU chairwoman and Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer were considered possible candidates, as was Ines Claus, who is currently leader of the CDU parliamentary group in the Hesse state parliament.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously spoken out in favor of a woman in office - but had not yet decided on a candidate from the Union parties. The CDU leadership wants to discuss the personnel next Monday.

On January 30th, the Federal Assembly will elect the new head of state. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will end his second term in office on March 18, 2027 and will not be allowed to stand for re-election.

With information from Tim Aßmann, ARD Capital Studio Berlin