Aigner should become Federal President: “My language will be clear and understandable”

A Federal President “with dignity and heart”: Chancellor Merz sees Ilse Aigner as exactly the right candidate. The 61-year-old was moved by the nomination - and made it clear what she stands for: a

Aigner should become Federal President "My language will be clear and understandable" As of: November 9th, 2026 • 1:55 p.m

Now things are suddenly happening very quickly: At a preliminary meeting of the executive committee on Sunday evening, Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz officially decided on the Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as the candidate for the federal presidential election. This morning the CDU leadership nominated the 61-year-old, and now Merz and Aigner appeared together in front of the press - for the round of introductions.

"With Ilse Aigner, Germany is gaining a federal president with dignity and heart," said Merz in his short statement as he once again justified the decision in favor of Aigner. He highlighted Aigner's "clear commitment to the basic values of our democracy" and her "consistent stance against extremism, against hatred and against social exclusion".

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Aigner himself briefly discussed the long decision-making process over the past few weeks and said to Merz: "The Chancellor made it exciting - for me too." She is very moved by the nomination. And Aigner made it clear what she sees as her task as Federal President: "I want to be a centrist candidate" who pursues policies to overcome divides. "My language will be clear and understandable."

As head of state, she said she wanted to take a consistent stand against the political polarization in Germany. “Our country and our democracy are under attack, from within and from without,” said Aigner. Extremes are celebrating triumphs and ideologies are on the rise. The division is being promoted and the consensus is being despised. The CSU politician said she wanted to be a counterweight to this development. "My position is clear and is against any attack on human dignity."

Aigner also briefly discussed her biography. Her entire political career was "characterized by a great closeness to people - and that will not change in the future," she emphasized. "I don't want to be above the citizens, I want to be a part of them." The trained electrical engineer worked for the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter before her political career.

Finally, she promoted courage and confidence. "Yes, we have problems in this country, but Germany is not a problem case. We are a great country with great people."

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Aigner, currently President of the Bavarian State Parliament, would be the first woman to hold the highest state office. It is “high time” for that, said Merz. Representatives of the SPD and the Greens have already spoken out in favor of the 61-year-old. This means that there is a clear majority in the Federal Assembly, which is due to decide on the successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 30th. He cannot run again after two terms in office.