SPD and Greens push for Germany’s first female president amid candidate talks

Leading figures from the SPD and the Greens called for a woman to become Germany’s next head of state, emphasizing the need for integrity, judgment and international standing. SPD parliamentary manager Dirk Wiese and Green faction chief Britta Haßelmann both named Ilse Aigner of the CSU as a strong candidate. They noted that one outlet president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, cannot seek another term after two tenures.

The CSU has promoted Aigner, the Bavarian state parliament president, for months, and party chief Markus Söder reiterated his support at a recent party gathering. CDU chairman Friedrich Merz, however, did not address the timing or method of the coalition’s candidate decision. The Federal Assembly, composed of Bundestag members and an equal number of state electors, will elect the new president in the coming weeks.