The AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag expects CSU politician Ilse Aigner, who is considering running for the office of Federal President, to introduce herself to the AfD as well. Stephan Brandner, the parliamentary affairs director, told the “Rheinische Post” that anyone wishing to become Federal President must naturally approach all parliamentary factions. This is particularly true given that the election will involve discussions rather than a vote conducted behind closed doors.
Brandner added that anyone who goes into hiding before the election, thereby signaling their partisanship, is making a mistake. He further questioned how the AfD and its millions of voters should assume that the president will be “a cross-party, neutral, and mediating figure for all citizens,” when she is not even willing to initiate contact today and appears to reject every conversation request out of fear.
Brandner stated that the AfD will field its own candidate, who too will introduce himself to all other factions. His party also advocates for the direct election of the Federal President, though he suggested that the fundamental need for the office itself should also be questioned.
