Germany seeks new head of state

Wanted: A new head of state — female, male, or other. Requirements: German citizen, entitled to vote, minimum age 40. Please apply as soon as possible! Availability starting January 30, 2027; job starts March 19, 2027.

This is not an official job posting, but Germany's federal government is indeed looking for someone to fill the nation's highest office. Having already served two terms, current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is no longer eligible for another, leaving the position open for a successor. Many feel that it is time for Germany's first-ever female head of state.

"The person should have a certain level of public recognition, be politically unbiased, capable of bringing people together, approachable and a reasonably good [public] speaker," political scientist Ursula Münch told DW. 

In Germany, a federal parliamentary republic, the president serves as head of state and a representative of the country as well as someone who embodies moral authority for the nation. Unlike for instance in the US, France, or Russia, the president does not wield extensive political power or direct government affairs.

Steinmeier was nominated by his own party, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), in 2009. However, once elected via a convention of parliamentarians and state electors, a president-elect has to suspend their party membership in order to serve in the office apolitically. This time, it is Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right Christian Democrats (CDU), the power broker in the coalition government with the SPD and the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), which has the right to nominate a candidate.

Political scientist Münch says that "the three parties must agree on a person who is acceptable for all three." Since the convention that will select Steinmeier's successor is currently controlled by these three parties and their delegates, it is very likely that whoever Merz nominates will be elected.

Senior CSU politician Ilse Aigner is thought to have a good chance of succeeding SteinmeierImage: Chris Emil Janßen/IMAGO Will Germany soon have its first female president?

"Well, I would really like it to be a woman this time. We've had 12 male federal presidents since 1949 — it's about time for a woman! But if the right man were to be nominated, I'd be fine with that too," says Münch. According to an August poll conducted by the Forsa polling institute for the RTL television network, about 74% of German respondents say they don't care whether it's a man or a woman. Another 19% explicitly want a woman, while 5% prefer a man. 

Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner appears to have a good chance. She is president of the Bavarian State Parliament in Munich. Aigner is a member of the smallest party in the coalition, the Bavarian CSU, and is considered a unifying figure. She also has experience in government in Berlin, having served as agricultural minister at the federal level. She enjoys strong support within her Bavarian CSU party, whose leader Markus Söder recently said: "It would be tremendous if she became federal president."

Even members of the opposition Greens and the SPD are full of praise for Aigner's candidacy. "What are we actually waiting for? Surely Ilse Aigner has long since secured a majority across party lines?" asked SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch recently. However, Merz, who is friends with Aigner, has remained tight-lipped so far — possibly also because Aigner is not a member of Merz's party, but rather of its smaller sister party, the CSU.

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Several female presidential candidates 

Other potential successors from the CDU membership have also been mentioned: Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Education Minister Karin Prien. Hesse's state premier, Boris Rhein, is also a possible candidate. In recent days, another name has been making the rounds: lawyer Ines Claus, who serves as CDU's parliamentary group leader in Hesse and deputy party chair at the federal level — and is largely unknown.

However, rumors that she would be nominated were swiftly shot down by the chancellor. Sources close to Merz emphasized that he has so far "neither made a decision nor put forward a proposal." There are "a number of suitable" options, sources added.

The president is elected every five years by the Federal Convention, which comprises all 630 members of the Bundestag and an equal number of electors who represent the state parliaments. Among them are also prominent figures from the spheres of culture, science, sports and society. The candidate who receives more than 631 votes goes on to assume office. The governing parties — the CDU/CSU and the SPD — have a combined total of 682 votes, a comfortable majority.

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner currently has a high-profile positionImage: Christoph Soeder/dpa/picture alliance Presidential role key amid polarization and crisis

The office of the president is often underestimated as merely a ceremonial role. Yet, as an authority standing above the political parties, this person wields considerable political, legal and moral influence. This is especially true in times of political polarization and international crises. While the president does not govern like a chancellor, he or she represents Germany both at home and abroad.

"From a constitutional perspective, the federal president is enormously important. For example, in a political crisis, he could decide whether it makes more sense to dissolve the Bundestag or to advocate for a minority government," explains political scientist Münch. In addition, he reviews and signs laws proposed by politicians.

What happens next?

The federal chancellor and CDU chairman has an interest in an orderly process, say sources close to the government. The "first milestone" will be the meetings of the CDU Presidium and Executive Board on November 9. Until then, discussions will be held with the state chairpersons of the CDU and the CSU. Sources made it clear that the SPD and the Greens will also be consulted, "since the election of the federal president should have broad support across the democratic spectrum."

That is how political scientist Münch sees it: "I still consider the question open, with a slight edge for CSU candidate Ilse Aigner." But there could still be a real surprise, Münch adds.

This article was originally published in German.