Manfred Weber, deputy leader of Bavaria’s CSU, urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition to agree within four weeks on a candidate for Germany’s next president and backed Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner. The election is set for Jan. 30, 2027.
Weber said the coalition should reach agreement before the CSU conference in Munich on Oct. 23–24. He called for a clear signal rather than a prolonged struggle and said Aigner had the experience and ability to bring people together.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier is due to leave office in March 2027 after two five-year terms and cannot be re-elected. Other potential contenders include Education Minister Karin Prien, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; reports have also suggested Hesse Premier Boris Rhein. A Federal Convention of Bundestag members and representatives of Germany’s 16 states elects the largely ceremonial president. The CDU/CSU and Social Democrats are expected to hold a majority there.
