The CDU and CSU have reportedly agreed on a joint candidate for the upcoming election of the Federal President. Several media outlets have consistently reported that the Union intends to propose Ilse Aigner, the President of the Bavarian State Parliament, for the highest state office.
The Federal Convention is scheduled to decide on the successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 30th. This body comprises all members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the various state parliaments. Any member of the Federal Convention can submit candidacy proposals in writing to the President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner (CDU). Since the Union will hold the majority of seats in the Federal Convention, it is believed they could potentially form a majority, perhaps in collaboration with the SPD.
Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria and head of the CSU, had previously suggested Aigner back in April. She had earlier been seen as a potential intra-party competitor to Söder leading up to the 2028 state election. Aigner has a significant political history: she served as the Federal Minister of Agriculture from October 2008 to September 2013. From 2013 to 2018, she held roles as the Bavarian Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Bavarian Prime Minister. Following that, she served as the Minister of Transport before being elected President of the State Parliament on November 5, 2018.
