Berlin, November 9, 2026 – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Ilse Aigner, the president of the Bavarian state parliament, would be the Christian Democratic Union’s candidate for the country’s presidency, a nomination that could make Aigner the first woman to hold the office of head of state in Germany.
Merz made the announcement in a press conference that gathered reporters and political observers in the capital. He confirmed that the CDU’s federal executive board had endorsed his proposal and that Aigner, a seasoned political figure and member of the Christian Social Union, had expressed support for the nomination.
Merz said that Germany faces a mix of geopolitical crises and rising extremism, and that it needs a president who can unite the nation and provide guidance as the country navigates these challenges.
Aigner responded that she aims to be a candidate of the “strong center” in order “to bridge social divides and counter populist and extremist forces.”
According to the law, the next German federal president will be elected by the Federal Convention on January 30, 2027. The convention is composed of members of the lower house of parliament and representatives from the 16 federal states, and it convenes only every five years to elect the federal president.
With a solid majority held by the CDU and its coalition partners in the convention, Aigner is widely expected to win the upcoming election. Her potential victory would not only secure the CDU’s preference for the presidency but also historic relevance as Germany’s first female head of state.
The nomination comes amid ongoing discussions over the role of the president in times of political fragmentation, as well as debate over the balance between the ceremonial and advisory functions of the office. Aigner’s experience in state-level governance and her long-standing affiliation with the CSU position her as a candidate who is poised to appeal to a broad electorate within the federal convention.
Observers anticipate that Aigner’s campaign will emphasize moderation and unity, reflecting the political tone set by Merz and the CDU’s strategy to maintain stability in the face of internal and external pressures.
