Alexander Schweitzer, Deputy Chairman of the SPD, strongly advocates for a woman to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Telling Spiegel, Schweitzer stated that a female Federal President would send an important and long-overdue signal regarding gender equality. He reiterated his wish for a woman at the head of state, asserting that the time is right for a female president.
There is widespread consensus across the political center that the next head of state should be a woman. Schweitzer expressed discomfort that some within the CDU/CSU (Union) are challenging this consensus, arguing that the party risks reverting to behavioral patterns that society has long since overcome.
When confronted with the argument that only professional qualifications should determine the choice, Schweitzer dismissed it, explaining that there are exceptionally qualified women in Germany for the highest office of state.
This stance comes as the newspaper Bild reported over the weekend that the name of Hessian Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) is increasingly being mentioned in Union government and party circles. Proponents of Rhein highlight that in addition to legal knowledge, he possesses experience in governing. This combination, they suggest, could be crucial for successfully managing potential state crises following electoral gains by the AfD party.
