Twelve men and no women: Klöckner wants a female Federal President after Steinmeier

As President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner holds the second-highest office in the country. In her view, it's also time for a woman to hold the highest office—as Federal President.

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner is advocating for the election of a woman to succeed Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "Since 1949, the list of federal presidents has included twelve men and no women. That is the opposite of equality," the CDU politician told Stern magazine. "It's high time for normality, even in the highest office of the state."

Most recently, CDU Deputy General Secretary Christina Stumpp had spoken out in favor of a woman at the head of state. Klöckner now said she expressly welcomes the coalition partners' efforts to nominate a woman – "it is a long overdue step." Klöckner currently holds the position of President of the Bundestag, the second-highest state office after that of Federal President.

Haßelmann: Where women are missing, their perspective on things is also missing

There are also calls from the ranks of the Green Party for a female federal president. "Of course, a woman can and should finally assume the highest office in the state," Green Party parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann told Stern magazine. Far too often, female candidates have been nominated even though it had long been clear that a man would take over the office again. "It's time to finally put an end to this."

Women make up more than half of society. "Where women are lacking, their perspective on things is also lacking," said Haßelmann. How overdue such a signal is can be seen in the case of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "His circle of power consists entirely of men, and even the coalition committee has only one woman, from the SPD. And this in 2025," criticized the Green Party parliamentary group leader. Steinmeier's second term ends on March 18, 2027. He is not eligible for re-election.