Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer has clearly spoken out in favor of Ilse Aigner (CSU) running for federal president. The debate must come to an end, the CDU politician said in a statement. “I expect—and hope—that Ilse Aigner will become our joint Union candidate on Monday.” Earlier, Thuringia’s Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) told *stern* that Aigner had “what it takes to be Federal President.” Party leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) has already stated that a woman should assume Germany’s highest office as the Union’s candidate. However, he has not yet named a specific candidate. A decision is expected early next week, when the CDU Presidium and Executive Board will address the issue. The Federal Assembly will decide on the successor to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 30, 2027. Aigner should also receive broad support across party lines, Saxony’s Minister-President emphasized. The office of Federal President is not a matter of party political tactics. “It’s about a leader who can bring our country together.” Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
