Germany is preparing for a change at the highest constitutional office. Current Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier cannot run for another term, as he has already served two mandates. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated he intends for a woman to succeed Steinmeier—the first in Germany’s history—making the announcement in a closed meeting of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leaders in Berlin.
According to information shared by the German Press Agency (DPA), Merz plans to propose a joint candidate from the political center. However, he made clear his preference regarding the next head of state: he wants a woman, which would make her the first female president of the Federal Republic since its founding in 1949.
This decision will have implications not only for the CDU and its coalition partners. The new head of state will represent Germany during a period of political, social, and security challenges, when the ability to unify society and strengthen trust in democratic institutions is highly expected of its leaders.
Steinmeier steps down after two terms
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has served as president since 2017. He was re-elected in 2022 for a second five-year term, now drawing to a close. The German constitution allows a president to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, so Steinmeier cannot run again.
His departure opens up the search for a new head of state. Prior to the presidency, Steinmeier was a prominent figure in Social Democratic politics, serving as foreign minister and previously leading the office of the federal chancellor.
In Germany, the federal president does not hold as extensive executive powers as the chancellor. The role is primarily ceremonial and constitutional: signing laws, appointing federal officials, and representing the country abroad. The president is also expected to act above everyday partisan conflicts and promote social cohesion.
Merz seeks a candidate who can unite political camps
According to CDU discussions, the chancellor aims to present a joint candidate acceptable to the political center. This indicates that party affiliation alone will not be the deciding factor; the ability to gain support across the political spectrum will also be crucial.
The process for selecting a president in Germany differs from a direct election by the citizens. The new head of state is chosen by the Federal Assembly, consisting of all Bundestag members and an equal number of representatives from the federal states, including figures from public life, culture, sports, and science, alongside politicians.
The candidate needs to secure an absolute majority. If no one achieves this in the first two rounds, a simple plurality in the third round suffices.
Given the balance of political forces, reaching a consensus among governing parties will be particularly important. Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats have a significant advantage if they act together, but a suitable candidate must also find broad acceptance across the political landscape.
Ilse Aigner among the leading potential candidates
One of the most prominent potential candidates is Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament and a Christian Social Union (CSU) politician. She brings experience from both regional and federal politics and formerly served as Germany’s agriculture minister.
Aigner’s name has circulated for some time in discussions about the presidency. She has received support from CSU leaders and positive comments from politicians in other parties. Her advantage lies in her potential to be a broadly acceptable figure beyond her own party’s base.
Other women frequently mentioned in connection with the presidency include Bundestag president Julia Klöckner, former defense minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, and education minister Karin Prien.
However, this is not yet an official list of candidates. Merz’s statement that he wants to nominate a woman does not mean a specific individual has already been decided on.
Germany has never had a female federal president
Since the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, only men have held the presidency. If Merz’s intention is realized, it would mark the first time in history the country is led by a woman.
This possibility has been discussed before. Even ahead of selecting Steinmeier’s successor, there were calls for the highest representative office to be opened to women. However, according to an August 2026 Forsa institute poll, most Germans do not consider the gender of the next president decisive. About 19 percent of respondents preferred a woman and five percent a man.
This suggests that for the public, a candidate’s character, trustworthiness, and ability to represent the whole country may matter more than whether the nominee is a woman or a man.
When will Germany learn the name of its next president?
The selection of a new head of state is expected in 2027. According to German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle and international news sources, the new term is set to begin on 19 March 2027, and the current president is to leave office before then.
The coming period will therefore bring negotiations on the candidate’s name and the search for support among various political parties. While Merz, as chancellor, plays an important role in the process, the final decision will not be his alone. The president is chosen by the Federal Assembly.
For the CDU, it will be especially important to put forward a figure not seen merely as a party nominee. In Germany’s political system, the president above all represents the country’s stability and continuity. A potential first female president would not only have historical significance, but also face expectations to represent citizens with a range of political views.
With Merz’s announcement, the discussion about Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s successor moves into a more concrete phase. The question now is not only who will become the next president, but also whether Germany—after more than seventy years—will entrust the post to a woman for the first time.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
