German chancellor Friedrich Merz nominates country’s first female president in Ilse Aigne

Germany’s governing parties have nominated Ilse Aigner to become the country’s first female president, a role she could take up next year. The move is significant as Germany faces growing political polarisation, and Aigner says she wants to represent a “strong centre” and help overcome divisions.

Aigner, 61, is speaker of Bavaria’s state legislature and a member of the conservative Christian Social Union. The presidential election is scheduled for 30 January, when a special assembly of 1,260 national and state legislators will choose a successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who cannot serve a third term. Backing from the governing coalition gives Aigner a strong chance of election, while the far-right Alternative for Germany plans to field its own candidate.