The ongoing and protracted search for a candidate for the post of Federal President is causing frustration in various federal states, particularly because these states are already in the process of nominating electors for the Federal Assembly. Serpil Midyatli, Deputy Chairwoman of the SPD and faction leader in Schleswig-Holstein, told the “Kieler Nachrichten” (which belongs to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland) that the states are forced to make their decisions even though Berlin has yet to determine who should even run. She stated this highlights a serious lack of coordination in the election timeline.
Midyatli added that Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) bears a special responsibility for political coordination at the federal level, given that the CDU claims the right to propose a coalition candidate. She stressed that it is crucial for him to organize the political process so that the various procedures integrate more smoothly.
In Schleswig-Holstein, the CDU-state parliament plans to send representatives to the Federal Assembly in January, and the former Chancellor Angela Merkel is among the electors. She holds the top spot on the list of twelve delegates provided by the state CDU for the election of the Federal President.
Criticism of the current procedure has also come from the Greens in Schleswig-Holstein. Silke Backsen, Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader for the Greens, told the “Kieler Nachrichten” and the RND that she finds it strange that the search is taking so long without a consensual proposal. She argued that the head of state requires someone who champion non-partisanship and integration, offering direction during these difficult times. The Greens also emphasized that it is essential to find a personality who “decisively defends democracy,” and they pointed out that it is truly time for a woman to hold the highest state office, a position they have consistently advocated for while awaiting suggestions.
Discontent regarding the late candidacy naming by the black-red federal coalition is also evident in Lower Saxony. According to information from the “Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung” (a partner in the RND), there is concern within the CDU-state parliament that nominated individuals-such as celebrities or other persons the state parliament can designate-might fail to vote for the CDU’s proposal in January.
