Merz backs Ilse Aigner to be Germany's first female president

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has formally backed Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, to succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier as the country's next president, sources told dpa.

If confirmed in the post, Aigner would be Germany's first female president.  

Merz put forward her name in a meeting with conservative party leaders, sources in the leadership told dpa on Monday. The announcement was accompanied by long applause, the sources said. 

Her nomination is also being supported by Merz's Social Democrat coalition partners, dpa has learned. 

The German president is elected by the Federal Convention, a body convened solely for the purpose of choosing the country's next head of state. It will decide on January 30 on a successor to Steinmeier, whose second five-year term ends next March.

Major political figures, including long-time former chancellor Angela Merkel, have in recent months indicated their support for a woman to take over the post of president for the first time. 

In Germany's political system, the presidency is a largely ceremonial but highly visible role.