AustriaGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that the next President of Germany must be a woman, marking his first explicit stance in the debate over the successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Speaking at a non-public conference of CDU district chairmen, Merz indicated he would propose a female candidate from the political center. This declaration effectively sidelines male contenders previously discussed, such as Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein and Constitutional Court President Stephan Harbarth. While the CSU supports Bavarian State Parliament President Ilse Aigner, who has received backing from parts of the SPD and Greens, Merz insists that the nomination power remains with the CDU as the largest faction in the Federal Assembly. The Union and SPD hold a majority of approximately 50 votes in the assembly, which is scheduled to decide on the presidency on January 30. Merz aims to reach a joint proposal with the CSU by next Monday after consulting state leaders.
Bias read (Center): The article relies exclusively on agency reporting and direct quotes, presenting competing party positions and procedural facts without using loaded language or favoring any specific candidate or ideological viewpoint.
