Politicians from the SPD, CDU, Greens and FDP called for Germany to have a female federal president for the first time before International Women’s Day.
“It would be good if the democratic parties agreed on a qualified woman as a candidate for the office of Federal President,” said Rhineland-Palatinate Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) to the “Tagesspiegel”. “A female Federal President would be an encouragement for many women in Germany and beyond.”
Other politicians can also imagine a woman as head of state. “As Federal Minister for Women, I would very much welcome a candidate for the next election for the German head of state, if the democratic parties can agree on it in 2027,” said Green Party politician Lisa Paus to the newspaper. Her party colleague, former Agriculture Minister Renate Künast, also called for a woman for Bellevue. “It’s long past time to find a woman for the highest office. And I hope that a movement will emerge in time.”
The deputy leader of the CDU, Karin Prien, wouldn’t mind either. “We live in a time in which a level-headed woman in Bellevue Palace could bring people together, put what unites them above what divides them and at the same time unequivocally stands by the values of our society,” said Schleswig-Holstein’s Education Minister. However, from Prien’s point of view, a man who “has these typically feminine characteristics” would also be a good head of state.
Steinmeier’s term of office ends normally in 2027
The FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann would also be in favor of a federal president. “It is high time for a woman to move into Bellevue Palace,” the Bundestag member told the newspaper. There are enough strong women, not just in parliament, who would courageously fulfill this important task and also have something to say.
According to the Basic Law, the Federal President must be a German, have the right to vote in the Bundestag and be at least 40 years old. The term of office lasts five years. Subsequent re-election is only permitted once. The second and final term of office of the current Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier ends normally in 2027.
