Franziska Brantner, the leader of the Green party, criticized Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) for what she sees as a lack of leadership in the succession process for Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Speaking to the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger,” Brantner stated her frustration that Merz’s handling of the search for a new head of state is generating only internal conflict, warning that individuals like Ilse Aigner and potentially others could be harmed by the ongoing debate.
According to the Green party leader, the current issue is not about identifying the most suitable person, but rather a power struggle between CSU chief Markus Söder and CDU chairman Merz. She criticized this dynamic, arguing that such a conflict is unworthy of the highest state office. At the same time, Brantner reaffirmed the Green party’s openness to nominating a candidate from across party lines, insisting that “we Greens have said that we are open to together with the Union and SPD putting forward a candidate. In our opinion, the time is ripe for a woman.”
Both Söder and Merz have favored specific individuals: Söder is supporting the Bavarian State Parliament President Aigner, while Merz’s preferred candidate is Ines Claus, a regional party chair from the CDU in Hesse. Nevertheless, Brantner strongly advised Merz to look back at the approach of the first Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer (CDU). The Green party leader noted that Adenauer understood the necessity of merging the social dimension with market economics, but also acknowledged the need for a competition of ideas to ensure progress rather than simply clinging to the past.
Brantner also praised Adenauer’s European policies, expressing her deep dissatisfaction that Germany had failed to build a Franco-German combat aircraft despite significant investment in defense. She was certain that “Adenauer would have approached Charles de Gaulle and brought the business leaders to the table. Over good wine, they would have sat together until the problem was solved.”
