When introducing Ilse Aigner as a candidate for the office of Federal President, CDU leader Friedrich Merz particularly emphasized her craftsmanship and technical training and her professional experience. This aspect of her biography was particularly well received during the deliberations, said Merz at a joint press conference. Aigner viewed the broad support for her candidacy as an “important signal against populist and extremist forces in our country.”
Merz explained that the CDU board had followed his suggestion. He is also pleased about the positive reactions from other parties. He and Aigner have known each other for decades. He praised their willingness to take responsibility, their commitment and their consistent stance against extremism. Aigner has the “very best qualifications” as Federal President, and with her Germany will gain a Federal President with dignity and heart.
Aigner will be a federal president who brings people together, provides guidance and initiates debates, said Merz. In his view, it is high time for a woman to take over the office for the first time. Aigner's professional background is an important sign.
Aigner said she was very moved by the nomination. She thanked the CDU for their encouragement and support. The broad support makes her “humble and courageous”. She wants to be a candidate from the “strong middle”.
“The division is being pushed forward, the consensus is being despised,” complained Aigner. She does politics to overcome divides. Your language will be clear and understandable. “I don’t want to be above the citizens, I want to be a part of them.”
Aigner cited decency and trust as the yardstick for her actions. At the same time, she promoted confidence: “Yes, we have problems in the country, but we are not a problem country.” She wants to encourage people and work for a new unity.
If Aigner is elected, she would be the first woman and first CSU politician to head the state. The coalition parties CDU, CSU and SPD have a majority of around 50 votes in the Federal Assembly, which is made up of the 630 members of the Bundestag and the same number of voters from the states.
The CSU has been behind Aigner for a long time, and the SPD executive committee also supported the nomination this morning. “She is an experienced, down-to-earth politician and has the important ability to bring people together across party and social boundaries,” the committee said in its justification.
The Greens had also already expressed their sympathies. On Monday, the party leadership spoke out directly in favor of Aigner. “We would like to suggest that you support the election of Ilse Aigner,” the parliamentary group and party leaders wrote in an internal party letter that was available to the dpa news agency.
Now the election campaign begins for Aigner. She will possibly introduce herself to the parliamentary groups in the Bundestag on Tuesday, which will then meet regularly. It is unclear whether she will also join the AfD and the Left.
AfD parliamentary group leader Alice Weidel expects Aigner to also be seen by the members of the “second largest faction in the German Bundestag, the largest opposition faction and, according to current surveys, the strongest political force in the country”. “This is a question of democratic culture and manners and one of respect for the millions of voters we represent,” she emphasized.
Either way, the AfD wants to put forward its own candidate, a man “from the middle of society,” as the party says. However, he is considered to have no chance because of the clear majority.
The Left has not yet decided for or against its own candidacy. Party leader Ines Schwerdtner criticized the coalition members for deciding among themselves who should become Federal President. “I would have liked the Union and the SPD to look beyond their own ranks and look for a candidacy that would bring the country together,” she said.
Merz had kept a low profile in the debate for a long time, but then last Monday initially spoke out in favor of a woman - without naming a name. In the past few days, agreement had already been reached in the CDU about Aigner's candidacy. For formal reasons, Merz wanted to propose it to the CDU committees first.
Merz and Aigner have known each other since 1998 and, according to those close to the Chancellor, have been “close personal friends” for 25 years. Merz has his holiday home in her constituency on Tegernsee. They see each other there regularly and have a common circle of friends. Merz had already spoken to Aigner about the candidate question in August, but had not yet decided on it at that point.
Aigner has been discussed as a possible successor to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for months; CSU boss Markus Söder brought her into play as a candidate. The election of Steinmeier's successor is scheduled to take place in the Federal Assembly on January 30, 2027.
