Politics · Germany · 11 hrs ago
CDU deputy Ines Claus signals interest in Germany’s next presidency
Ines Claus has signalled interest in succeeding Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Germany’s president, saying she feels honoured to be considered.
Claus, 49, leads the CDU group in Hesse’s state parliament and is a deputy leader of the national party.
Merz’s office says he has not chosen or proposed a candidate, despite claims that Claus is his favourite.
Some CDU politicians question whether she has enough national political experience, while CSU figures have called her name a possible trial balloon.
Other names mentioned include Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Bavarian state parliament President Ilse Aigner, Education Minister Karin Prien and former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
The CDU leadership is due to discuss the choice on November 9, followed by talks with other parties, and a decision is expected in November.
Germany’s Federal Convention will elect the president on January 30, 2027; the CDU, CSU and SPD together hold a majority there, though the Union hopes for wider support.
Ines Claus, deputy chair of Germany’s CDU, has signalled interest in succeeding President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Claus called being mentioned for the role a “great honour” and said the party should follow an orderly selection process.
Some CDU politicians questioned her candidacy, while CSU figures showed little enthusiasm.
Other names mentioned include Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and Bavarian state parliament President Ilse Aigner.
The CDU’s leadership is due to discuss the selection on 9 November, with a decision expected later that month.
The presidential election is scheduled for 30 January 2027.
- Who
- Ines Claus, deputy chair of the CDU and head of its group in the Hesse state parliament.
- What
- She signalled interest in succeeding President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
- When
- She signalled interest ahead of the reports published on 27 October 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Not stated.
Supporters of considering Ines Claus
Critics of her candidacy
Suitability
Supporters of considering Ines Claus
Claus said it was a “great honour” to be mentioned and called for an orderly selection process.
Critics of her candidacy
Some CDU politicians said she lacked a national political profile and that a candidacy would fail.
Alternative candidates
Supporters of considering Ines Claus
Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei said several women in the CDU were well suited.
Critics of her candidacy
CSU figures showed little enthusiasm for Claus, and some pointed to Julia Klöckner or Ilse Aigner as alternatives.
Reports said Ines Claus had signalled interest in succeeding Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
CDU leadership bodies are due to discuss the presidential selection.
A decision on the candidate is expected after further talks.
The new president is due to be elected by the Federal Convention.
- Ines Claus’s age
- 49
- Claus’s CDU role
- Deputy chair of the federal CDU since 2026
- Claus’s Hesse role
- Chair of the CDU state parliamentary group since April 2020
- CDU discussion
- 9 November 2026
- Presidential election
- 30 January 2027
- Names also under discussion
- Julia Klöckner and Ilse Aigner
3 sources
What people are saying
great honour
Now it is a matter of following an orderly process. Within the party, with the state premiers, the CDU and CSU leadership bodies and, of course, our coalition partner
Merz has neither made a decision nor put forward a proposal
Thankfully, we have several women who are very, very well suited