Politics · Germany · 5 hrs ago
Söder may back Ilse Aigner for German president at CSU convention
CSU leader Markus Söder is expected to back Ilse Aigner for Germany’s presidency at the party convention in Munich next weekend.
Aigner, 61, is president of Bavaria’s state parliament, and Söder said he wants her to get the job if possible.
The Federal Assembly will elect the next president on January 30, as Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s term comes to an end.
The conservative alliance of the CDU and CSU has the right to propose a joint candidate, but will need votes from its coalition partner, the Social Democrats.
Aigner would be the first woman and first CSU politician to become Germany’s president.
Other names under discussion include CDU politician Boris Rhein, former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and former constitutional court judge Udo Di Fabio.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to address the choice in early November, while the Social Democrats have indicated they would quickly support Aigner if the alliance proposes her.
CSU leader Markus Söder may promote Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as a candidate for German president at the party convention in Munich.
Söder said he wants Aigner to become president if possible.
The Federal Assembly is due to elect the next president on January 30.
Aigner would be the first woman and the first CSU politician to hold the office if elected.
Other names being discussed include Boris Rhein, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Udo Di Fabio.
- Who
- Ilse Aigner, the Bavarian state parliament president, is a possible candidate. CSU leader Markus Söder may promote her.
- What
- Söder may publicly back Aigner as a candidate for German president at the CSU convention.
- When
- The convention is scheduled for the coming weekend. The Federal Assembly is due to elect the next president on January 30.
- Where
- Munich, Germany.
- Why
- The next president is to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The Union is seeking a joint candidate and needs votes from its coalition partner, the SPD.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Söder said he wanted Ilse Aigner to become Federal President if possible.
Söder may promote Aigner as a candidate in his speech at the CSU convention in Munich.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to speak about the matter at the next CDU executive committee meeting.
The Federal Assembly is due to elect the next president.
- Possible CSU candidate
- Ilse Aigner
- CSU leader
- Markus Söder
- Convention location
- Munich
- Election date
- January 30
- INSA poll: respondents who consider Aigner suitable
- 27%
- INSA poll: respondents with no opinion on Aigner
- 43%
What people are saying
I want Ilse Aigner to become Federal President, if at all possible.
Ilse Aigner is a unique personality. She listens to people and takes them seriously.
She is a perfect fit for the office of Federal President. We do not need long personnel debates now, but clarity. We stand united behind her.