# Merz says next German president ‘must be a woman’ — report

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/merz-says-next-german-president-must-be-a-woman-report/
- Published: 2026-11-02T07:36:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T01:01:08+00:00
- Original publisher: DW
- Original article: https://www.dw.com/en/merz-says-next-german-president-must-be-a-woman-report/live-79825749?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Topics: Europe, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Merz says Germany’s next president should be a woman.
- Steinmeier’s term ends in March 2027.
- CDU leaders are expected to propose a candidate on 9 November.

## Summary

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he believes the next German president should be a woman, as political parties prepare to choose a successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The comments could shape discussions about a consensus candidate, though Merz said he would propose someone from the political centre.

Steinmeier’s second term ends in March 2027, and the CDU leadership is expected to put forward a candidate on 9 November. Names mentioned include CSU-backed Bavarian premier Ilse Aigner, parliamentary speaker Julia Klöckner, Families Minister Karin Prien and former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. The article also reports Merz’s call for stronger German AI capabilities to protect digital sovereignty, and Alexander Zverev’s rise to No. 1 in men’s tennis.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.