Friedrich Merz wants to see Bavarian Ilse Aigner president of the German Federal Republic

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made his choice on Sunday evening on Bavarian Ilse Aigner for the post of President of the German Federal Republic, according to information from the circles of his party the CDU, a position which has never before been filled by a woman. He announced, during a dinner in Berlin for party officials, that he would officially propose the name of the current president of the regional parliament in Bavaria on Monday.

His nomination by the coalition parties makes his election on January 30 almost inevitable by some 1,260 voters, mainly parliamentarians from both chambers (Bundestag and Bundesrat), plus a few representatives of civil society. She must replace Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), President of the Federal Republic since 2017. Political tradition in Germany dictates that the coalition parties seek to agree on a common personality for this mainly honorary function, supposed to be above partisan divisions and represent the moral conscience of the country.

The ruling coalition currently brings together the union of Christian conservatives CDU/CSU, made up of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU and its Bavarian ally, the CSU, as well as the social democrats of the SPD. The coalition partner SPD has for weeks been increasing declarations of support for this former Minister of Agriculture under Angela Merkel, who enjoys respect and recognition which goes well beyond the ranks of the CSU.

One of the SPD regional leaders, Dietmar Woidke (Brandenburg), had clearly lined up behind her, describing her to the Politico media as the “perfect candidate”. “She knows German politics like the back of her hand. It is accessible. She loves people, knows how to listen and people listen to her,” he declared.

Ilse Aigner, 61, is known for her appearances in traditional dirndl at beer festivals, which have made her a familiar face throughout the state. His handling of the parliamentary group of the far-right AfD party in the Bavarian parliament is considered both firm and courteous. In a phase of strong political polarization, and while the anti-migrant and pro-Russian party AfD has reached a record popularity in the country with around 28% of voting intentions, it could become a force of appeasement.

Ilse Aigner was born in Bavaria to parents who ran an electricity company. His youth was marked by cancer: a tumor on his back had to be removed. After technical studies, she worked as an electrical technician for a helicopter manufacturer before multiplying the mandates of deputy and ministerial functions, at the local and federal levels.