Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner is set to become Germany’s next president, potentially making history as the first woman to hold the country’s largely ceremonial head-of-state office, following an agreement between Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), according to senior political officials.
The two political officials, who have knowledge of the discussions, told BILD, part of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, that Merz’s conservative alliance and the SPD have agreed to nominate Aigner to succeed outgoing President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal party deliberations publicly.
Aigner’s candidacy is expected to be officially announced on Monday. Chancellor Merz plans to inform senior Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politicians on Sunday that she will be the conservative bloc’s candidate for the presidency, the officials said.
Aigner, 61, is a prominent member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Merz’s Christian Democratic Union. She currently serves as president of the Bavarian State Parliament, a position that has given her considerable experience in parliamentary affairs and political leadership.
She previously served as Germany’s federal minister of food, agriculture and consumer protection under former Chancellor Angela Merkel from 2008 to 2013. During her tenure, she was involved in shaping agricultural and food policies at a time when Germany was navigating significant challenges involving food safety, agricultural markets and European Union regulations.
Her potential elevation to the presidency would represent a historic milestone for Germany, which has never had a woman as its federal president since the establishment of the Federal Republic in 1949.
The CDU and CSU operate as a joint parliamentary bloc in Germany’s Bundestag, the country’s lower house of parliament. Together, they form the principal conservative political force in German federal politics and are members of the European People’s Party, the largest political grouping in the European Parliament.
The agreement with the SPD is politically significant because the German president is elected by the Federal Convention, a constitutional body consisting of all members of the Bundestag and an equal number of delegates appointed by Germany’s 16 state parliaments. Securing support across major political parties would substantially strengthen Aigner’s prospects of winning the election.
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, the leader of the CSU, first publicly suggested Aigner as a potential presidential candidate in April. The CSU has traditionally dominated Bavarian politics and remains one of Germany’s most influential regional political forces. However, despite its longstanding influence, the party has never produced a German federal president or chancellor.
Support for Aigner has also emerged beyond the conservative camp. Prominent politicians from the SPD and the Green Party have indicated in recent weeks that they would welcome her candidacy.
Brandenburg’s SPD Minister-President Dietmar Woidke has particularly endorsed Aigner, describing her as “the perfect candidate” and praising her extensive understanding of German politics.
The political consensus surrounding her possible nomination reflects the importance of selecting a candidate capable of representing Germany beyond party lines, particularly at a time of domestic political divisions and growing international challenges.
Steinmeier, who has served as Germany’s federal president since March 2017, is approaching the end of his second five-year term. His current mandate expires in March 2027, and constitutional rules prevent him from seeking a third consecutive term.
Germany’s next president will be elected on January 30, 2027, by the Federal Convention. Although the presidency carries limited executive authority, the office plays an important constitutional and representative role.
Unlike the chancellor, who leads the federal government and determines its political agenda, the president primarily serves as Germany’s head of state, representing the country domestically and internationally. The president also signs legislation, appoints senior federal officials and can exercise certain constitutional powers during political crises.
