Cem Özdemir, the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg (Greens), has proposed that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Greens agree upon a single candidate for the upcoming election for the President of the Federal Republic of Germany. Özdemir told the “Tagesspiegel” (Thursday edition) that the parties should converge on a joint candidate or a single individual, believing this would strengthen the office during the term.
Additionally, Özdemir voiced his support for a woman succeeding Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He stated that after twelve presidents, it is time for a woman to head the state, arguing that the nation requires a personality who can hold the country together during these difficult times, though he did not name anyone.
The election for Steinmeier’s successor is scheduled for January 30, 2027. The CDU and SPD hold a comfortable majority in the Federal Assembly. Given the distribution of seats, the CDU/CSU is expected to claim the right to propose a candidate as the strongest faction.
In this context, CSU Chairman Markus Söder has repeatedly endorsed Ilse Aigner (CSU), the current President of the State Parliament of Bavaria. Aigner, a former Minister of Agriculture and one who has also been suggested as a potential successor to Söder, enjoys appeal within the SPD. Özdemir himself had previously called Aigner “a very interesting proposal” in August.
In recent weeks, names such as Boris Rhein, the Minister-President of Hesse (CDU), or former Constitutional Judge Udo di Fabio have also surfaced in CDU circles as potential candidates. Nevertheless, several SPD politicians and representatives of the Women’s Union have been advocating for a woman as the state head for some time now.
Attention is focused on how Söder and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) will address the possibility of Aigner at the CSU party conference this weekend. According to the “Tagesspiegel”, CSU circles do not expect an official nomination of Aigner from the party conference, with the decision on a candidate likely expected in November, as reported by CDU/CSU sources.
