Ahead of the CSU party convention in Munich this coming weekend, the Christian Social Union is strongly backing the Bavarian state parliament president, Ilse Aigner, as a candidate for the highest state office. According to “Bild am Sonntag”, party chairman Markus Söder plans to actively position Aigner as a candidate for the presidency during his speech.
Support for Aigner is not limited to Germany; the EVP chief, Manfred Weber of the CSU, stated to the newspaper that she is a unique personality. Weber praised her for listening to people and taking them seriously, arguing that the current need is for clarity rather than lengthy internal debates, and that the party stands united behind her.
Should the Federal Assembly elect Aigner on January 30th, this would mark a double historic first, as neither a woman nor a member of the CSU has held the highest office previously.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties are also assessing the field. CDU chairman and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced he will address the issue of the Federal President during the next CDU presidium meeting in early November. In party circles, the ambitions of Hessian Minister-President Boris Rhein are considered significant, along with the potential candidacy of Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, head of the Konrad-Adenauer foundation, and former Federal Constitutional Court judge Udo Di Fabio.
The SPD is primarily focused on ensuring that a woman takes the office. Information reported by “Bild am Sonntag” suggests that Aigner has received quick backing from SPD leadership, while Di Fabio is expected to meet with a swift refusal.
A poll conducted by the opinion research institute Insa for “Bild am Sonntag” reveals that 28 percent of Germans wish for a woman to be the head of state, 10 percent do not, and 55 percent are indifferent about gender. Regarding Aigner herself, 27 percent of respondents find her suitable, 30 percent do not, and 43 percent have no opinion. Among Union voters, Aigner is rated more favorably, with 47 percent viewing her as presidential material and 22 percent not.
