Sigma Live

Merkel Dismisses Rumors of Running for Federal President

Published February 12, 2026, 09:13
Merkel Dismisses Rumors of Running for Federal President

Angela Merkel has categorically dismissed rumors of her candidacy for the office of German Federal President in 2027, stating that this is "out of the question". The statement was made through her spokesperson, responding to a Bild report that said there were concerns within the CDU that the Greens were planning to propose her as successor to Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The rumor was reinforced by the announcement of Merkel's participation in the upcoming CDU conference, for the first time since 2019, while her tense relationship with current Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz is well known. Merz's re-election is expected at the conference. The election of the new Federal President must be completed by February 2027, with the end of Steinmeier's term. According to Tagesspiegel, the CDU will seek the privilege of submitting the first candidate proposal, while it is considered unlikely that the Greens will submit a competing proposal, especially in the person of Merkel. It would also be the first time a former chancellor has sought the highest state office. There is pressure to select a female candidate, with Julia Klöckner, Karin Prien and Ilse Aigner as the most likely contenders.