German Chancellor Mertz officially nominates Aigner for president

China News Service, Berlin, November 9 (Reporter Ma Xiuxiu) On the 9th local time, the leadership of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) officially nominated the 61-year-old Bavarian Parliament Speaker Ilse Aigner to run for the next German president. If ultimately elected, Aigner will become the first female head of state in German history.

German Chancellor Mertz and Aigner jointly attended a press conference that day to introduce the nomination. Merz said that the CDU presidium adopted his proposal and he was also pleased with the positive response from other political parties. He spoke highly of Aigner's courage to take responsibility, active commitment to work and firm stance against extremism, and believed that she has good conditions to serve as federal president. He also said Aigner would be a federal president who could bring parties together, provide direction and drive discussions. Germany is long overdue for its first female federal president.

Aigner elaborated on his understanding of the responsibilities of the federal president and expressed his hope to become a candidate who represents the middle line and bridge social differences and eliminate estrangements through political efforts. She said she would resolutely oppose the increasingly polarized trend in German politics and strive to become a force that bridges social differences.

The German Federal Assembly will meet on January 30 next year to elect the successor to current President Steinmeier. At present, representatives of the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party have publicly expressed support for Aigner. The Alliance Party and the Social Democrats hold a majority of seats in the Federal Assembly, and Aigner is expected to receive majority support. Steinmeier has served two consecutive terms as federal president and, according to regulations, cannot run again.