Ilse Aigner rejects an introduction to the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag

As a candidate from the “strong center,” Ilse Aigner wants to become Federal President. It has now become known which parliamentary groups she will appear in person and which not.

The Union's candidate for the office of Federal President, Ilse Aigner, has no plans to introduce herself to the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Aigner's chief of staff Eric Markuse justified this with a statement from AfD deputy parliamentary group leader Beatrix von Storch. »Mrs von Storch publicly described Ilse Aigner's nomination as an indictment. This makes a visit by the AfD faction unnecessary,” Markuse told the German Press Agency. He was referring to an X-post from the AfD MPs, in which they described the qualifications according to which Aigner was selected as a "testimony of poverty".

Aigner is also unlikely to introduce himself to the Left at first. According to their own statements, the Left did not invite Aigner. Parliamentary Managing Director Ina Latendorf said: “An invitation was not given. If she would like to introduce herself, she is welcome to do so.”

Aigner has planned visits to the coalition factions of the CDU/CSU and SPD as well as to the opposition Greens. The CDU nominated Aigner for the election on January 30th on Monday. The CSU politician is now the common candidate of the Union parties to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The leaders of the SPD and the Greens have already assured her of support.