Friedrich Merz endorses Ilse Aigner for Germany’s presidency / She could become the country’s first female head of state

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has officially expressed his support for Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, in the race to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Germany’s head of state. The nomination was made during a meeting with leaders of the conservative parties, and the proposal was reportedly met with prolonged applause, according to sources cited by the dpa news agency.

Aigner’s candidacy would also have the support of the Social Democratic partners in the governing coalition led by Merz. If elected, Ilse Aigner would become the first female president in Germany’s history.

Steinmeier’s successor will be chosen by the Federal Convention, a body convened specifically to elect the head of state. The vote is scheduled for January 30, while the incumbent president’s second five-year term ends in March next year.

In recent months, several prominent political figures, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel, have supported the idea of a woman occupying the presidency for the first time.

The German presidency is primarily ceremonial, but it enjoys considerable public and political visibility.