Merkel urges Germany to elect its first woman as president

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Germany to choose a woman as its next president, saying the country should ask “whether it might finally be time” to elect its first female head of state. Her comments came as several women were being discussed as possible successors to Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Merkel, Germany’s first female chancellor, told MagentaTV that she knew women capable of taking on the role but declined to identify a preferred candidate.

She also criticised what she described as a “strange” debate with an “unpleasant undertone.” Steinmeier cannot seek a third consecutive term. Germany’s Federal Convention is due to elect his successor on January 30. The presidency is mainly ceremonial, although the office carries constitutional and representative responsibilities.

Among the names under discussion is Ilse Aigner, the speaker of Bavaria’s parliament, who has the backing of Markus Söder, leader of the conservative Christian Social Union. Other reported possibilities include Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Education Minister Karin Prien and former Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. The latter three are members of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union.

Merkel also used the interview to challenge the direction of her former party. She said the CDU’s identity should not be reduced to economic policy and argued that it had traditionally been about “building bridges to all parts of society.” That emphasis, she said, needed to return to the forefront. No candidate has yet been agreed, and the reports do not indicate whether Merkel’s intervention has secured support from the CDU, CSU or other parties represented in the Federal Convention.

Her comments therefore add political pressure to an open succession contest rather than settling it. The discussion over the presidency formed part of a broader day of political activity in Germany. In Berlin, the Left Party was expected to approve coalition negotiations with the Social Democrats and Greens, a step that could eventually make its candidate, Elif Eralp, the city’s first Left Party governing mayor.

The proposed Berlin alliance has already received backing from the SPD and Greens, with talks potentially beginning on Monday. The Left Party’s youth wing opposes the arrangement and has called instead for a “strong socialist opposition.” Delegates met under tight security in Lichtenberg after protests were announced by opponents who accused the party of betraying voters. The Left Party won September’s election with 25.7% of the vote, while the previous CDU-SPD governing coalition lost its majority.