BERLIN — The office of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has firmly rejected recent media speculation suggesting that she might return to the political stage as a candidate for the German presidency next year. The denial follows reports circulating in the domestic press indicating that members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)—the conservative party Merkel led for nearly two decades—were discussing her potential nomination for the country’s highest office.
The rumors gained significant traction after the German newspaper Bild reported on internal discussions within the CDU regarding the upcoming vacancy for the head of state. According to the report, speculation had been brewing among some party members about drafting the long-serving former leader to succeed the current Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Steinmeier is currently serving his second five-year term, which is scheduled to conclude in early 2027. As the German constitution limits the president to two consecutive terms, the political landscape is already shifting as parties consider potential successors.
However, the response from Merkel’s staff was swift and unequivocal. A spokesperson for the former Chancellor issued a statement directly addressing the claims, categorizing the idea of her running for the presidency as “absurd.” The office emphasized that there is no truth to the reports and reiterated Merkel’s previous commitments regarding her departure from public office. Since handing over power in December 2021 after 16 years at the helm of Europe’s largest economy, Merkel has maintained a relatively low profile, stepping back from the daily machinations of party politics to focus on private life and the writing of her memoirs.
The position of Federal President (Bundespräsident) in Germany is distinct from that of the Chancellor. While the Chancellor holds the primary executive power and leads the government, the President serves as the head of state. The role is largely ceremonial, functioning as a non-partisan moral compass for the nation and representing Germany in international diplomatic matters. Despite the limited executive power, the office holds high prestige, and the President plays a critical constitutional role during government formations or parliamentary crises.
The suggestion that Merkel might assume this role speaks to her enduring influence and popularity in Germany. During her four terms as Chancellor, she guided the nation through a series of tumultuous global events, including the 2008 financial crisis, the Eurozone debt crisis, the 2015 migration crisis, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her decision not to seek a fifth term in 2021 was a voluntary retirement, a move she framed as a necessary transition for the country.
The next German president will be elected by the Federal Convention (Bundesversammlung), a special constitutional body convened solely for this purpose. This assembly is composed of all members of the Bundestag (federal parliament) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments of the 16 federal states. While the search for a consensus candidate typically involves negotiation between the major parties, the definitive statement from Merkel’s office appears to rule out any possibility of her return to the political forefront in this capacity.
