Thorsten Frei, the chair of the CDU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, rejected the demand that the office of the Federal President must this time be filled by a woman. Speaking to the broadcaster “Welt” on Monday, he stated, “In my view, both possibilities must be open.”
The CDU politician acknowledged that there are certainly reasons for seeking a female president, but cautioned that this should not be a binding requirement. “It absolutely shouldn’t lead to half the population being automatically excluded,” he added, urging that they handle the matter openly. “I am certain that we will hear a wise proposal.”
Frei also warned against hasty decisions regarding the succession of the Federal President, instead advocating for a decision to be made in the autumn. He explained that the precise composition of the Federal Convention will only be known after the three state parliamentary elections scheduled for September. “We still have three state elections in September-in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Berlin. Once these three elections are over on September 20th, you will know what the Federal Convention will look like. Therefore, regarding the majority ratios, one must stop speculating and see the definitive allocation of seats,” Frei said. “Only then can we address this question. I believe we must always do so out of respect for the current incumbent.”
Regarding personnel debates and the suggestion by CSU leader Markus Söder, who had put the Bavarian state parliamentary president, Ilse Aigner, forward, the Union group chairman called for restraint. He felt that the party chairpersons should discuss the arguments themselves, carefully weighing the pros and cons. “I am convinced that they will come up with a proposal that considers many factors,” Frei remarked. He further added that in politically turbulent times, both the Federal President or the Federal Presidentess could assume an even more crucial role, serving as an anchor of stability for society and democracy itself. “In that sense, I do not think it makes sense to put up rigid guardrails today.”
