(de-news.net) – As cross-party support for CSU politician Ilse Aigner grows, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is under some pressure to settle the Presidential succession dispute. Disagreements over the choice of candidates continue, despite prominent CDU, SPD, and Green politicians’ support for choosing a woman. Prior to the Federal Convention’s election in January, the CDU is scheduled to discuss the nomination in early November.

Merz, Germany’s Chancellor and leader of the CDU, is facing mounting pressure to resolve the dispute over the succession to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. With public speculation continuing and the governing parties yet to agree on a candidate, calls are growing for party leaders to settle the question and establish a common position.

Stephan Toscani, head of the CDU in Saarland and the party’s leading candidate in next year’s state election, urged party leadership to reach a decision within days and bring the public debate over potential nominees to an end. He expressed confidence that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), as well as the Social Democratic Party (SPD) could cooperate in proposing a strong candidate with broad political appeal.

The parties have not yet reached an agreement, however. While the CSU has endorsed Ilse Aigner, President of the Bavarian State Parliament, the CDU has not formally committed to a candidate. Merz, who leads both the Federal Government and the CDU, has yet to make his position clear, leaving the question of a joint nomination unresolved.

Cross-party backing strengthens Aigner’s prospects

Support for Aigner has emerged from several political quarters, including prominent figures in the CDU and SPD. Michael Kretschmer, the CDU Minister-President of Saxony, described her as an outstanding political figure with the ability to unite the country and secure support across party lines.

Kretschmer argued that identifying the most suitable person for the Presidency should take precedence over demands from some CDU members that the party nominate a candidate from within its own ranks. He also endorsed the prospect of Germany electing a woman as head of state, emphasizing the importance of a President capable of bringing together people with differing political views.

Aigner’s candidacy has gained additional momentum through support from senior SPD figures. Matthias Miersch, the party’s parliamentary leader, became the first senior SPD politician to explicitly endorse her as a potential joint candidate of the center-right and center-left governing coalition. Miersch argued that Germany should elect a woman President after 12 consecutive men have held the office. He also pointed to Aigner’s firm opposition to right-wing extremism as a significant qualification, presenting her as a candidate whose political record could appeal beyond her own party.

Other SPD representatives have expressed similar support. Andreas Bovenschulte, Bremen’s mayor, said Aigner possessed the professional competence, public presence and empathy required for the Presidency. He also characterized the election of a woman as a long-overdue milestone for Germany. At the same time, Bovenschulte stressed that the nomination’s progress depended substantially on the CDU and Merz, placing responsibility on the chancellor to help move the process forward.

CSU renews its claim to the Presidency

Markus Söder, Bavaria’s Minister-President and CSU leader, has reiterated his party’s argument that it should have a greater opportunity to fill the Presidency. He noted that, during Germany’s 75-year history, the CSU has never provided either a Federal President or a Chancellor. Söder argued that the party’s record supported giving it serious consideration in the current selection process, particularly because the CDU has expressed a preference for a woman but has not put forward an alternative candidate. His position reinforces the CSU’s effort to establish Aigner as a credible choice for a cross-party nomination.

Aigner was first proposed for the Presidency by Söder several months ago. Despite the renewed attention surrounding her candidacy and the growing support among politicians from different parties, Merz has not publicly endorsed her or committed the CDU to a particular nominee. The unresolved question is therefore not simply whether Aigner has sufficient political support, but whether the CDU and CSU can agree on a candidate acceptable to the governing coalition. The CDU’s position remains particularly important because a joint nomination would require cooperation between the conservative parties and their SPD coalition partner.

Conservative lawmakers differ over selection criteria

Within the CDU-CSU parliamentary group, lawmakers have expressed differing views about how the next President should be selected. The debate reflects a distinction between those who see the election of a woman as an important political milestone and those who argue that the candidate’s authority and qualifications should remain the central considerations.

Anne König, the CDU/CSU’s parliamentary group’s spokesperson for women’s affairs, said the candidate’s affiliation with either the CDU or CSU should not determine the outcome. She pointed to the strong political records of women in both parties, indicating that the conservative bloc had several potential candidates whose experience could support their consideration for the Presidency. Mathias Middelberg, deputy leader of the Union parliamentary group, took a different approach to the debate. He cautioned against making gender the principal criterion, arguing that the office required a person with genuine political authority and stature.

The differing positions illustrate the competing considerations facing the conservative parties as they weigh the merits of a candidate who could satisfy demands for greater female representation while also commanding broad political respect. Although the CDU has expressed support for a woman President, it has yet to identify a candidate of its own or formally endorse Aigner.

Greens and SPD renew calls for a woman President

The Greens have also backed the election of a woman as Germany’s next President. Party leader Franziska Brantner argued that such a development was overdue and called for a candidate who could defend democracy, provide political direction and strengthen national cohesion. Her position places emphasis on the Presidency’s broader public role, particularly the expectation that the head of state should provide a unifying presence in a politically divided society. The choice of successor is therefore being discussed not only in terms of party representation but also in relation to the leadership qualities expected of the office.

Jasmina Hostert, the SPD parliamentary group’s spokesperson for women’s affairs, similarly argued that Germany’s next President should be a woman. She maintained that women have assumed significant responsibilities in politics and society for decades and that their contributions should be reflected at the highest level of the state. The statements from Brantner and Hostert add to the growing cross-party support for a female head of state.

However, support for that objective does not necessarily establish agreement on an individual candidate, leaving the governing parties to reconcile their preferences before the election. Greens parliamentary leader Katharina Dröge has separately criticized the prolonged public speculation over possible nominees. She argued that the extended discussion was unhelpful, reinforcing calls for party leaders to bring greater clarity to the process.

CDU to discuss nomination before January election

The CDU leadership is scheduled to address the Presidential nomination at its executive committee meeting on 9 November. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the party to consider its position as pressure builds for an agreement among the governing parties. The Federal Convention will elect Steinmeier’s successor on 30 January. Steinmeier, having completed two terms, is not eligible to seek another term, making the selection of a new head of state necessary.

Until the CDU clarifies its position, Aigner’s candidacy remains a prominent possibility rather than an agreed joint nomination. The coming discussions will determine whether the support expressed by politicians across party lines can translate into a common candidate for Germany’s Presidency.