Merz reportedly wants a woman to succeed Germany’s president

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants a woman to succeed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier when his term ends next year, according to people in Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse reported.

Merz reportedly made the remark during a meeting with local CDU officials, saying he was certain of one thing: the next president “must be a woman”. He has not named a preferred candidate.

The German presidency is largely ceremonial and has never been held by a woman. Steinmeier has been in office since 2017. His successor is due to be elected on 30 January by the Federal Convention, a body of about 1,260 members, including federal and state parliamentarians, whose sole task is to choose the president.

Names mentioned as possible candidates include Bundestag president Julia Klöckner, Education Minister Karin Prien and former defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Merz has not published a shortlist.