Karin Prien, the Deputy chairwoman of the CDU and Federal Minister for Family, is pressing her party to make a decisive choice regarding a female candidate for the federal presidency by November 9th. Speaking to Stern and RTL, she stated clearly that the successor should be a woman, noting that the current debate shows several women within the CDU and CSU possess the necessary qualifications. Setting a time limit, she announced that a meeting of the party’s presidium on November 9th will serve as the day of decision.
Her own name has also been cited by the CDU as a potential choice for the succession following Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Prien reacted positively to this, saying, “I am flattered,” and adding that it is naturally a compliment when one is mentioned for such a high office, especially since the position is one that is selected, not applied for.
However, Prien warned against damaging the reputation of individual candidates during the ongoing debate. She emphasized that all the women currently in discussion are highly competent and deserve the position. She strongly cautioned against searching for reasons why they are unsuitable simply because they are women, adding that disagreements like these would be handled differently when debating male candidates.
