Former chancellor Merkel to take part in election of German president

The former German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is set to take part in the convention to elect the country's new president next year, as a representative of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. 

Merkel's selection was reported by several media outlets on Monday.

The presidency is a largely ceremonial role, and is chosen by all members of the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, together with an equal number of representatives chosen by Germany's 16 state parliaments.  

The successor to the current president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will be chosen on January 30, 2027. 

Germany's federal states are currently selecting their representatives for the convention, though the coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives and Social Democrats has yet to agree on a candidate.

The former chancellor, who will represent the CDU for the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, recently called for a woman to succeed Steinmeier.

"In the 77-year history of the Federal Republic of Germany, there has never been a woman as federal president," Merkel said in an interview with MagentaTV. Everyone should ask themselves "whether it wouldn't be about time now," she said.