CDU Foreign Policy Expert Roderich Kiesewetter Criticizes Chancellor Merz Over Presidential Succession

CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter has openly criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his handling of the search for a new Federal President. Speaking on the ZDF talk show "Markus Lanz", Kiesewetter stated that the Chancellor demonstrated a lack of political sensitivity and urged him to officially back Bavarian Landtag President Ilse Aigner as the conservative candidate on Monday.

During the broadcast, Kiesewetter described the nomination process within the CDU/CSU alliance as uncoordinated and poorly executed. According to the CDU lawmaker, public discussion of potential candidates without prior internal agreement risks damaging potential nominees before an official decision is made. He added that Merz had focused primarily on gaining the chancellorship and came late to the concept of active policy shaping, though he expressed hope that the Chancellor would learn from these difficulties.

Support for Aigner, a member of the Bavarian sister party CSU, has grown among conservative figures. In addition to the CSU leadership, all three East German CDU state premiers have publicly endorsed her candidacy. Chancellor Merz has previously advocated for a woman to hold the highest state office, but he has so far refrained from endorsing a specific individual.

The new head of state will be elected on January 30, 2027, by the Federal Assembly, which comprises the 630 members of the Bundestag and an equal number of delegates chosen by state parliaments. Incumbent Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is ineligible for re-election after completing two terms. Although the CDU/CSU alliance holds the right of proposal, the bloc has not yet presented an official candidate.

Written by Christiane Hofreiter christiane.hofreiter@alpineweekly.com