SPD leader Lars Klingbeil calls for a joint recommendation from the black-red coalition for the successor to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He desires a woman in the role and is open to candidates outside party politics. The election is expected in January 2027.
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's second term ends on March 18, 2027, and he cannot be re-elected. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, who is also vice chancellor and finance minister, advocates for a joint proposal from the coalition of SPD and Union (CDU/CSU). "First, it's about us as a coalition making a joint proposal," he told the "Nürnberger Nachrichten".
Klingbeil stresses that it is "high time" for a woman as president. The candidate does not necessarily have to come from politics. "I am also open to personalities who are not so strongly rooted in party politics. What is important is a personality who can bring people together, who stands for the common good and gives our country orientation in these times," he explained.
According to "Spiegel" information, Union and SPD aim for January 30, 2027, as the election date, though the Bundestag has not confirmed it. A decision is expected in the Bundestag's Council of Elders next week. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann shares Klingbeil's openness to a non-politician and refers to Joachim Gauck, who served as non-partisan president from 2012 to 2017.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz, CSU leader Markus Söder, and Greens parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann also support a woman in the office. This could contrast with previous coalition conflicts, such as the canceled election of Constitutional Court judge Frauke Brosius-Gersdorf in July.
