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Bellevue Palace
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's term of office ends in 2027. Politicians from the SPD, CDU, Greens and FDP are already calling for Germany to have a female federal president for the first time after that.
"It would be good if the democratic parties agreed on a qualified woman as a candidate for the office of Federal President," said the Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate Malu Dreyer (SPD) to the "Tagesspiegel" (Thursday edition).
"A female Federal President would be an encouragement for many women in Germany and beyond."
Green politician Lisa Paus also told the newspaper that she 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."
Her party colleague, former Agriculture Minister Renate Künast, says that “it is already a long time ago 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, also welcomes the initiative: “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 stand by the values of our society.
However, from her point of view, a man who “has these typically feminine characteristics” would also be suitable.
FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann sees it differently.
She says: "It's high time for a woman to move into Bellevue Palace." 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.
Steinmeier must therefore leave office in 2027.
vet/dpa