CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann has confirmed that the next Federal President will come from either the CDU or the CSU. Addressing RTL and ntv, Hoppermann stated that the candidate, who originates from the Union, is put forward by Friedrich Merz and represents a joint proposal from the chairs of both Union parties. While admitting there are many excellent candidates available, she did not rule out the possibility that Ilse Aigner, the current speaker of the Bavarian State Parliament (CSU), might still be in the running. However, she clearly confirmed that the eventual president will be a woman from the Union.
Hoppermann emphasized that the future Federal President must possess political experience and the ability to approach people with warmth and down-to-earth character. She believes this combination is particularly important in today’s polarized and tense social climate, adding that there are highly suitable candidates who possess these traits.
A swift proposal for the candidate is slated to be put forward; the final decision is expected to be made by the party committees early next week, following necessary discussions. Hoppermann also defended Party Chairman Merz’s relatively late decision to nominate a woman, clarifying that he had held this position for some time before announcing it recently. She noted that there is a widespread public and party desire for a woman in the highest state office. Nevertheless, she stressed the importance of focusing the discussion on the requirements of the role rather than solely on the gender of the candidate.
