Politics · Germany · 5 hrs ago
German commentary calls for public debate on next president
A German opinion piece is urging an open debate about who should become the country’s next president.
Bavaria’s leader, Markus Söder, has proposed Ilse Aigner, who is president of Bavaria’s state parliament.
The writer says the leaders of the governing CDU and SPD appear to want to decide the choice among themselves, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to discuss it with the CDU leadership.
Germany’s president is elected by the Federal Convention, rather than directly by voters.
The writer argues that people should have time to learn what candidates stand for, especially on issues including migration, security and education.
The next president will represent the country for five years, and the election is scheduled for January.
Marion Horn argues that Germany needs a public debate about candidates for the next federal president.
She says voters should have time to assess what candidates stand for before the Federal Assembly elects one.
Horn criticizes the leaders of the CDU and SPD for apparently wanting to make the decision among themselves.
She praises Markus Söder for proposing Ilse Aigner, saying he was the first to put forward an official name.
The election is due in January, and the president will represent Germany for the next five years.
- Who
- Marion Horn, writing in Bild, calls for a public debate on candidates for federal president.
- What
- She argues that voters should be able to assess candidates before the Federal Assembly elects one.
- When
- Horn’s commentary was published on October 17, 2026. The election is due in January.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Horn says the country is deeply divided and needs a president who can represent and unite it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chancellor Helmut Kohl proposed Saxon justice minister Steffen Heitmann as a candidate for federal president.
Heitmann withdrew his candidacy after remarks about the nation, foreigners and multicultural society prompted intense debate.
The election of the next federal president is due to take place.
Bild published Horn’s commentary calling for public debate on candidates.
- Election body
- Federal Assembly
- Election timing
- January
- Proposed candidate
- Ilse Aigner, put forward by Markus Söder
- Term described
- The next president is expected to represent Germany for five years
- Earlier candidate
- Steffen Heitmann, proposed by Helmut Kohl in 1993
What people are saying
this debate belongs in public!
Germany needs an outstanding federal president right now!