Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has put forward Bavarian parliament president Ilse Aigner as its candidate for federal president. Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented the CSU politician in Berlin on Monday, 9 November. If elected by the Federal Convention on 30 January 2027, she would become the first woman to hold Germany’s largely representative head-of-state office.
Aigner has led the Bavarian state parliament since 2018. Before that, she served as Germany’s federal minister for food, agriculture and consumer protection and held ministerial posts in Bavaria. Before entering politics, she trained as a radio and television technician and worked in the profession.
Federal Convention to decide in January
The 18th Federal Convention is scheduled to meet at the Bundestag on 30 January 2027. It comprises all 630 members of the Bundestag and an equal number of delegates elected by Germany’s 16 state parliaments, giving it 1,260 members. The presidential vote is held by secret ballot.
A candidate needs an absolute majority in the first two rounds. If no one secures that threshold, a third round is decided by a relative majority. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s current term ends on 18 March 2027.
Merz said Aigner’s political experience and ability to bring people together made her a suitable candidate. Aigner said she wanted to bridge social divisions and reach people who feel they are not adequately heard.
