Ilse Aigner nears nomination by Merz’s conservatives and SPD as Germany could get its first female president

Germany could entrust the presidency to a woman for the first time, with Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner expected to secure backing as a candidate from Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

German media report that her candidacy is expected to be officially announced on Monday, according to two senior conservative officials familiar with negotiations within the parties. Meanwhile, Merz intends to inform CDU leaders of Aigner’s nomination on Sunday.

The election of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s successor is expected to take place on January 30, 2027. The current head of state completes his second five-year term in March 2027 and is not eligible to run again.

Aigner currently heads the Bavarian state parliament and is a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU’s Bavarian sister party. From 2008 to 2013, she served as agriculture minister in former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government.

Her name was first put forward in April by Bavarian Premier Markus Söder. Politicians from the SPD and the Greens have also signaled their support. Highlighting her deep understanding of German politics, Brandenburg Premier Dietmar Woidke has described Aigner as the ideal candidate.

In Germany, the president has a largely ceremonial role, while the main executive powers rest with the chancellor. However, if Aigner is elected to the post, she will become the first woman in the country’s history to serve as head of state, marking a historic moment for German politics.