Ilse Aigner nominated as candidate for German federal presidency

On November 9, 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz officially nominated Ilse Aigner as the candidate for the position of federal president to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Aigner, 61, currently serves as the president of the Bavarian state parliament and is considered a figure capable of uniting the broad political center. Her candidacy has garnered support from both the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats (SPD), significantly increasing her prospects for election.

Ilse Aigner has a background distinct from traditional career politicians. Born to a family of entrepreneurs, she previously worked in the electrical sector, assembling components for helicopters. She lacks a university degree or high school diploma, having built her career from the grassroots level within the Christian Social Union (CSU). During her nomination, Chancellor Merz emphasized that Aigner’s working-class background allows her to understand the daily realities of millions of citizens. Aigner herself characterized her candidacy as a response to populist forces, stating her intent to represent a clear, democratic alternative while maintaining a grounded, human approach to the presidency. If successful, she would become the first woman to hold the office.