German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has decided that a woman should succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, according to participants in a CDU regional leaders’ meeting on Monday at the Konrad Adenauer House in Berlin.
Merz reportedly said he would present the party with a joint candidate from the political centre. He also expressed the aim of securing a broad majority for the nominee in the first round of voting by the Federal Convention.
The chancellor is expected to put forward a proposal next week. The CDU had previously maintained that it wanted to present its own candidate, while figures in both the CSU and the Social Democratic Party have supported Ilse Aigner, the CSU politician and president of the Bavarian state parliament. Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder has publicly endorsed Aigner, as have prominent Social Democrats including SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch.
Before the CDU leadership meeting scheduled for next Monday, Merz is expected to consult the party’s state leaders, the minister-presidents, members of the CDU leadership and the CSU. According to party sources, he had already spoken by telephone with several senior figures, including CDU minister-presidents.
After the CDU discussions, Merz plans to extend the talks to coalition partner the SPD and also consult the Greens.
Sources: Der Spiegel.