Why Merz is campaigning for Aigner as Federal President

When the Chancellor announced the big news of the day at CDU headquarters at midday, absolutely no one was surprised. What has been known throughout the country for days is now official: CSU politician Ilse Aigner will be the Union's candidate for the election of the next Federal President.

"If elected, Ilse Aigner will be a Federal President who will stand up for democracy in our country with her down-to-earth attitude, her political experience and her clear stance," said Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the presentation at the party headquarters in Berlin.

Aigner thanks “dear Friedrich”. She wants to be a candidate from the “strong middle”. And of course she also wanted to thank her party and its party leader. But to the surprise of many journalists, CSU chairman Markus Söder isn't there at all. The “joint candidate of the CDU and CSU” will initially only be presented by the CDU in Berlin.

No joint presentation from Söder and Merz

It wasn't until half an hour later that CSU leader Markus Söder appeared in front of the cameras in Munich and said: "We're happy to hand over Ilse because it's a huge signal for Germany."

Merz and Söder are not saying today why a common candidate is not presented together. They prefer to point out that the Union has actually found someone who is convincing in the democratic center. Shortly before the announcement by the Chancellor, Aigner had introduced himself to the federal executive committee of the CDU - and apparently very successfully. Participants reported to the ARD capital studio about “standing ovations” and a “big bouquet of flowers” ​​from the Chancellor for Aigner. And the SPD and the Greens have now also clearly signaled their support.

Merz's worries did not come true

It is also clear that Friedrich Merz's great concern does not appear to have come true. The CDU leader had hesitated for a long time and was conspicuously reserved in the debate about the next Federal President. Apparently there was too much respect for one's own party. After all, the right to make proposals lies with the CDU. Simply leave the highest office in the state to the little sister party CSU? As if there isn't a woman in the entire CDU who couldn't do that too? That could have caused criticism.

So the CDU leader went looking. Merz emphasizes today that he has had many conversations in the past few months. Nevertheless, he apparently couldn't find anyone in the CDU who was really convincing. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner? It would be difficult to convey to the SPD. Family Minister Karin Prien? Is criticized for its handling of cuts to democracy projects. And the Hessian CDU parliamentary group leader Ines Claus? Hardly anyone in Germany knows that.

The Chancellor can be satisfied with the result

Another problem for the Chancellor: The CSU had already made significant advances in April. More than six months ago, the Bavarian sister party brought its candidate Ilse Aigner into play. Most recently, party leader Söder once again promoted his long-time party colleague at the party conference in Munich. “The decision will be made somewhere else, but I would wholeheartedly begrudge Ilse Aigner if she became the next Federal President,” said Söder in October.

And the Chancellor? Just didn't say anything about it for months. "This personality shows the Chancellor's loss of influence in his own party," criticizes AfD leader Weidel. And CSU boss Söder also can't resist a little swipe today. "After weeks of discussion, we say: all's well that ends well."

The Chancellor can still be satisfied with the result. Because the feared criticism from within our own ranks has so far failed to materialize. In addition, Merz knows very well: If the CSU sits in the Federal President's office, it will have a much more difficult time laying claim to the Union's next candidacy for chancellor. Twice CSU in the highest offices in Berlin - that would probably be too much for many in the CDU. And the Chancellor now has to worry significantly less about a possible competitor Markus Söder.