President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s second term ends early next year, and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) together with the Greens are pushing for a woman to be his successor — a first in the Federal Republic’s post‑war history, where twelve men have so far held the largely ceremonial office.
The Greens even floated former chancellor Angela Merkel, who led the country for 16 years and remains broadly popular. Merkel dismissed the suggestion as absurd, and observers point out her public rivalry with Chancellor Friedrich Merz as an additional obstacle to any nomination from the conservative camp.
Merz has said he will propose a candidate in September, without committing to a male or female nominee. State elections taking place in September will finish a cycle of five contests this year and help determine the make-up of the Federal Convention that elects the president.
How the president is chosen
Germans do not elect the president by direct popular vote. The Federal Convention, convened only to choose the head of state, meets to elect the president for a five‑year term, renewable once. The Convention is made up of the 630 members of the Bundestag plus 630 delegates appointed by the 16 federal states; state delegates may be politicians or prominent citizens such as athletes or artists. Candidates must be German citizens aged at least 40. An absolute majority is required in the first two ballots; if no candidate reaches that threshold, a third ballot is decided by relative majority.
Although the president ranks above the chancellor in formal protocol, the chancellor’s office remains the country’s most powerful political position. The federal government typically names a candidate for the presidency, which makes agreement between the governing parties politically decisive.
Possible contenders
Julia Klöckner, president of the Bundestag, is frequently mentioned as a contender. She is seen as combative and is unpopular with the SPD, the Left and the Greens, who accuse her of polarizing politics.
Ilse Aigner of the CSU, who served eight years as president of the Bavarian state parliament, could attract broader cross‑party support. Her potential drawback is political: her elevation to the presidency could make a future chancellorship for CSU leader and Bavarian premier Markus Söder politically awkward, since many would balk at the smaller sister party occupying two of the top national posts.
Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) is another name in circulation. Her grandparents survived the Holocaust, and her election would be a conspicuous gesture as Germany confronts rising antisemitism. Prien represents a more progressive wing of the CDU, however, and may struggle to win broad backing within the party under the conservative leadership of Friedrich Merz.
There is also talk of looking beyond career politicians. CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann has suggested seeking a candidate from outside partisan politics. Writer and jurist Juli Zeh, an honorary constitutional judge in Brandenburg and a long‑time resident of the region, has been mentioned; she is a member of the SPD and has said she could imagine the role someday but not at present, citing family and work commitments and urging a president who is not clearly tied to a single political camp.
What happens next
With just under a year until the presidential vote, speculation will continue as parties and leaders negotiate. Chancellor Merz and Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) have several months to reach agreement on a candidate who can command the necessary support in the Federal Convention.