Union candidate Aigner introduces herself in the Bundestag – “A visit from the AfD faction is unnecessary”

One day after her nomination, the Union candidate for the federal presidential election, Ilse Aigner, introduced herself in the Bundestag. Visits to the coalition factions of the CDU/CSU and SPD as well as to the opposition Greens are planned. Aigner is unlikely to initially introduce himself to the AfD and the Left.

Aigner rejected the AfD in the evening despite an invitation. "Ms. von Storch publicly described Ilse Aigner's nomination as a disgrace. This makes a visit by the AfD faction unnecessary," Aigner's chief of staff Eric Marcuse told the German Press Agency.

He was referring to an X-post by AfD MP Beatrix von Storch, in which she described the qualifications based on which, in her opinion, Aigner was selected as a “testimony of poverty”.

The SPD executive committee praised Aigner's experience and down-to-earth attitude as well as her ability to bring people together. The Greens had made similar statements about the CSU politician.

In her criticism on The fact that the highest state office in Germany is being filled in this way is an indictment, wrote the AfD politician.

According to his own statements, the Left did not invite Aigner. Parliamentary Secretary Ina Latendorf told the dpa: "She won't be coming tomorrow. There has been no invitation. If she would like to introduce herself, she is welcome to do so."

Söder also comes to the Bundestag for the presentation

Federal Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz as well as CSU leader Markus Söder will also be present at the presentation in the Union parliamentary group (3:00 p.m.). Before the meeting (2:45 p.m.), joint statements with Aigner, Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei and CSU regional group leader Alexander Hoffmann are planned. Aigner then goes to the SPD (4 p.m.) and the 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.