Berlin: Germany is moving closer to electing its first female president, with leading political parties backing Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner for the country's highest constitutional office.
The 61 year old President of Bavaria's State Parliament has emerged as the preferred candidate of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).
According to German media reports, the conservative parties have reached an agreement on her candidacy, with formal approval expected on November 9.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which governs alongside the conservatives, has also indicated its support. SPD co leader Lars Klingbeil said his party would welcome Aigner's nomination, strengthening her prospects of securing a parliamentary majority.
Germany's Federal Convention is scheduled to elect the next president on January 20, 2027. The 1260 member assembly comprises 630 Bundestag lawmakers and an equal number of representatives selected by Germany's 16 federal states.
Aigner would succeed President Frank Walter Steinmeier, whose second five year term ends in March 2027.
Her election would mark a historic milestone for Germany, which has never had a female federal president despite being governed for 16 years by its first female chancellor, Angela Merkel.
Aigner served as Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection in Merkel's government from 2008 to 2013. She subsequently held senior positions in Bavaria before becoming President of the Bavarian Parliament in 2018.
Supporters regard her parliamentary experience and consensus building approach as valuable qualities at a time of growing political polarisation.
Unlike the chancellor, who leads the government, Germany's president performs largely ceremonial duties but plays an important constitutional and representative role.
With support emerging across party lines, Aigner is considered the frontrunner, although her nomination and election have yet to be formally confirmed.
