Will Germany elect a woman as head of state?
Deutsche Welle
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Germany is on the brink of a historic moment as discussions intensify over whether a woman could be elected as its next head of state for the first time since World War II. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens are advocating for a female candidate to replace President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose second term ends next year. While former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s name was floated as a potential candidate due to her high popularity, she swiftly rejected the idea, calling it “absurd.” However, political experts suggest that any push for Merkel or another woman in this role would face significant hurdles, particularly given Merkel’s strained relationship with current Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The election process for Germany’s president is unique. Unlike many other countries, Germans do not directly elect their leader; instead, a Federal Convention composed of 630 lawmakers and state representatives votes to select the president in secret ballots. The candidate must secure an absolute majority in two rounds of voting, or a relative majority in a final third round if needed. This year’s election is expected to be shaped by the outcome of September’s state elections, which will determine the makeup of the Federal Convention.
Several women are being considered as potential candidates, including Ilse Aigner of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and Karin Prien
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/26/2026