Former Constitutional Court Judge Udo Di Fabio is available for the role of Federal President. According to the FAZ, the legal expert stated that as a constitutional and public law professional, he would not refuse if the republic called upon him for the office. Consistent media reports suggest that Di Fabio is being considered within CDU circles as a potential successor to current Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The 72-year-old jurist, originally from Duisburg and of Italian descent, served as a judge on the Federal Constitutional Court from 1999 to 2011 on the recommendation of the CDU. Currently, he is a senior professor of public law at the University of Bonn. Although Di Fabio has not publicly commented on the rumors, he did tell the FAZ that the political landscape in this matter would likely “sort itself out differently.” The support of the SPD, however, is considered doubtful, as the party advocates for a woman in the presidential office.
The Federal Assembly is scheduled to meet on Saturday, January 30, 2027, when the new federal president will be elected by the German Bundestag. Steinmeier’s second term officially ends on March 18, 2027.
