CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann views Ilse Aigner, a member of the CSU, as a suitable candidate for the role of Federal President, although she neither confirmed nor denied this assessment. Speaking to the news portal “T-Online,” Hoppermann stated that the Party Chairman and Federal Chancellor would introduce Aigner’s suggestion in internal party discussions on Monday, clarifying that this alignment was part of the agreed-upon process. She added that Aigner was highly qualified for the office, as were several other women from their party.
Hoppermann defended the often-criticized length of the search process for the successor of Frank-Walter Steinmeier within the Union. She explained that the initial commitment was for a proposal to be put forward in autumn, following the state elections-a point she emphasized was where the process currently stood. Furthermore, she mentioned that Friedrich Merz had indicated that a decision would be made by November 9th, and all necessary discussions would take place by that time. She stressed that the process was exactly on schedule. Given that this position represents the highest state office, Hoppermann concluded that finding the right person-someone capable of reunifying society during these polarizing times-is not a simple matter.
