Quota Politics at Bellevue: Merz Restricts Presidential Race to Women

When the selection process for the highest constitutional office in the state turns into an exercise in pre-filtering by demographic criteria, institutional weight takes a back seat to political symbolism. Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz made it clear at a conference of CDU district chairmen in Berlin that Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s successor at Bellevue Palace will strictly be a woman. By setting this self-imposed mandate for a candidate from the political center, Merz effectively eliminated former Federal Constitutional Court judge Udo di Fabio, who had previously been regarded as his preferred choice for the presidency.

Instead of legal stature, the Christian Democrats are now weighing potential nominees against internal party arithmetic. Reports from high-level CDU circles recently identified Ines Claus, the 49-year-old parliamentary group leader of the CDU in Hesse, as the chancellor’s new favorite. While Merz's inner circle formally denied any final decision, Claus publicly declared that being mentioned in connection with the presidency was a great honor. Claus has led the Hessian parliamentary group since April 2020 and was elected deputy federal chair of her party in February, even though she has never held a mandate in federal politics.

She is hardly the only figure being evaluated by the party machinery. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, Federal Education Minister Karin Prien, and former CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer are also being discussed as potential options within party ranks. Meanwhile, the Bavarian sister party has no intention of allowing Berlin to dictate the outcome without a fight. The CSU has been actively campaigning for months on behalf of Ilse Aigner, the 61-year-old President of the Bavarian State Parliament. At a party congress in Munich, CSU leader Markus Söder enthusiastically endorsed his colleague, declaring to delegates that he would love it from his heart if Ilse Aigner became Federal President. When Merz acknowledged the Bavarian politician during his speech, delegates rose for standing applause, signaling that Munich expects its preferences to be respected.

The CDU leadership continues to assert its claim to name the successor, pointing out that as the largest party in the Federal Convention, the right of proposal belongs to them. The party executive board is scheduled to deliberate on the personal decision on November 9, when internal coalition dynamics will be put to the test.

Written by Thomas Nussbaumer thomas.nussbaumer@alpineweekly.com