Politics · Germany · 8 hrs ago
Merz to discuss Steinmeier’s successor with CDU leaders
Friedrich Merz is expected to discuss Steinmeier’s successor with senior members of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party at a dinner on Sunday evening in Berlin.
Steinmeier’s term is nearing its end, but Merz has not named his preferred candidate to become Germany’s next president.
The CDU leadership will meet again on Monday, followed by the party’s federal executive committee, to discuss the choice.
Ilse Aigner is backed by the CSU, SPD and Greens; she is president of Bavaria’s state parliament and a member of the CSU, the CDU’s sister party.
Merz has said he wants a candidate who can win support beyond party lines, while a poll found former chancellor Angela Merkel was considered suitable by 50% of respondents, compared with 36% for Aigner.
The Federal Assembly is due to vote on January 30, but Merz’s choice has not yet been announced.
Friedrich Merz is expected to discuss who should succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with CDU leaders at a Sunday evening dinner.
The CDU presidium has been invited to the party headquarters at 8 p.m., according to a report cited by n-tv.
The CDU presidium and then the CDU federal executive board are due to discuss the successor question on Monday.
Merz has called for a “candidate of the center” but has not named anyone.
The CSU, SPD and Greens have expressed support for Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner.
- Who
- Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz is expected to discuss the succession with the CDU presidium.
- What
- The meeting will address who should succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
- When
- Sunday evening at 8 p.m.; the CDU presidium and federal executive board are due to meet again on Monday.
- Where
- The Konrad Adenauer House, the CDU headquarters.
- Why
- To discuss the choice of a successor to Steinmeier. The sources do not state why Merz scheduled the dinner.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Merz has reportedly invited the CDU presidium to dinner at 8 p.m. at the Konrad Adenauer House to discuss the presidential succession.
The CDU presidium is due to meet again, followed by a meeting of the CDU federal executive board on the successor question.
The Greens have said they are willing to vote for Ilse Aigner in the Federal Assembly.
- Meeting time
- Sunday, 8 p.m.
- Meeting place
- Konrad Adenauer House
- Current president
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- CSU’s preferred candidate
- Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament
- Public opinion poll
- 50% considered Angela Merkel suitable; 36% chose Aigner and 33% Thomas de Maizière
1 source
What people are saying
I perceive a very, very high regard for Ilse Aigner in the CDU.
who enjoys recognition and support across party and parliamentary group boundaries
candidate of the center