Union: The Chancellor was the last to say “yes” to Aigner – how he was driven to the decision

Berlin. It took until Sunday evening before the world officially learned what everyone had already known: Ilse Aigner was to become Federal President. This was announced by the CDU headquarters after party leader Friedrich Merz's dinner with the executive committee. The 61-year-old will appear before the Federal Assembly at the end of January as a joint candidate for the CDU and CSU - as the first woman and the first from the CSU. The SPD and the Greens have long since signaled their approval.

On Monday, Merz also presented the proposal to the CDU board, as the German Press Agency learned from the meeting of the top committee in Berlin.

Merz once again seemed like a driven man who had been overwhelmed by the facts. Until recently, the Chancellor had avoided deciding who would succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Most recently, he declared last Monday: It should be a woman. Those close to him said the decision was finally made on Friday.

And Merz? Once again he seems like a driven person who has been overwhelmed by the facts. Until recently, the Chancellor had avoided deciding who would succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Most recently he declared on Monday: It should be a woman. Those close to him said the decision was finally made on Friday.