Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament (CSU), could become Germany’s first woman federal president. Sources close to the CDU, cited by AFP via Agerpres, say her nomination is expected to be confirmed on Monday at a meeting of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party leadership.

If the Christian Democrats back her, election on 30 January by the Federal Convention — about 1,260 electors, mainly Bundestag and Bundesrat members plus civil-society delegates — is widely seen as highly likely. She would succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), president since 2017.

German tradition has coalition parties seek a consensus figure for a largely ceremonial role meant to embody the nation’s moral conscience. The governing coalition joins CDU/CSU and the SPD. On Monday Merz said he wanted a centrist woman as head of state, without naming anyone publicly.

Aigner, 61, is a familiar face in Bavaria and served as agriculture minister under Angela Merkel. Coalition partner SPD has signalled support: Brandenburg’s Dietmar Woidke called her the “perfect candidate” in Politico — approachable, steeped in German politics, able to listen and be heard.

In a polarised climate, with AfD near 28% in voting intention, her handling of the AfD group in the Bavarian Landtag is described as firm yet polite. Critics on the left warn the presidency risks remaining a patronage post traded among governing parties.

Born in Bavaria, with technical training and a past as an electrical technician, Aigner has held parliamentary and ministerial posts at state and federal level. Formal CDU confirmation and the January vote will show whether Germany gets its first woman federal head of state.

Source: Germania: Bavareza Ilse Aigner ar putea deveni prima femeie președinte (Agerpres); Union will Aigner als Bundespräsidentin (tagesschau)