Bavaria’s Minister-President and CSU leader Markus Söder is reinforcing his belief that the next German Federal President should be a woman, thus increasing pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU leader Friedrich Merz. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, Söder stated that there had been intense discussion within the Union-both the CDU and SPD-for over a year regarding the necessity of a female candidate. He stressed that this debate did not originate within the CSU. He found it highly problematic to suggest now, close to the deadline, that a woman might ultimately not be suitable for the presidency.
For him, the fundamental decision to nominate a woman should not be changed at the last minute. The CSU chairman questioned what signal such a shift would send. He added that a crucial issue was how the political response should address the accusations from radical factions that Berlin and the established political structure have become disconnected from the public.
Söder reaffirmed his support for the Bavarian state parliament president, Ilse Aigner (CSU), naming her again as a potential candidate. “Ilse Aigner, with her closeness to the people and their concerns, could help ease this tension,” he commented. He noted that receiving positive reactions to her from both the SPD and the CDU was very encouraging. He concluded by reiterating that “the decision will be made collectively.”
The Bavarian Minister-President emphasized the need for a swift decision following the elections in the east, warning, “But we do not have infinite time. Presidential candidates are not produced casually; serious and trusting discussions are required.”
This stance contrasts with Friedrich Merz’s earlier comments during an ARD summer interview, where he had left open whether Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier strictly needed to be succeeded by a woman. Merz had stated at the time that “the question of gender is less important than the personality of the next head of state. And the demands are high.”
