Hey There! Let's Chat About the Future Female President of Germany
- By: Kay Jered Schadewald
- Approx read: 3.5 mins
Woman Should Assume Chancellorship Role in Bellevue Palace by 2027 - Woman's Role in Bellevue Castle by 2027: An Examination
Warning: Frank and Sparing Tone
Recently on "Miosga," Carsten Linnemann dropped a bombshell: "I'd be all for having a female Federal President soon. And a female Federal President would do Germany good." The question on everyone's minds: Is he serious — or just playing crisis PR? With key positions in the new federal government predominantly male and women often sidelined, could a woman finally secure Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the Federal President, in 2027?
Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz already set the stage for this change last year: "I'd be happy if we elected a woman to Schloss Bellevue in 2027." One woman on a mission to make this vision a reality is Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. The current second-in-command in the country isn't sugarcoating it: "Since 1949, we've had twelve men as Federal Presidents—not a single woman. That's far from equal. It's high time for a bit of normality even in the highest state office." Klöckner welcomes the coalition partners' recent consideration of a female nominee: "It's a long-overdue step."
But Klöckner isn't alone. Britta Haßelmann, parliamentary group leader of the Greens, is candid: "Why wait till now? And why is it even a question more than 75 years after the founding of the Federation? Of course, a woman should finally take over the highest office in the state."
Women in Politics: Empty Words So Far
Haßelmann also criticizes past practices: "Too often, candidates were nominated even though it was clear a man would once again take the reins. It's time to end this." Latinas, too, for example, continue to be underrepresented in politics in the U.S[1]. She emphasizes further: "Women make up more than half of society. Where women are missing, their perspective is also missing."
Another politician, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, spotlights defense as her area of expertise, where "men" struggled for a long time to imagine women in command. Her solution to the issue addressed by Haßelmann: "Why not send only women into the race in 2027? There are plenty of qualified candidates. The gentlemen should have realized by now that women are suitable for this."
Men vs. Women: Double Standards in the Spotlight
Strack-Zimmermann highlights the double standards: "If a woman performs poorly or looks unfavorably on TV, it becomes a topic, while some male counterparts can expose their hairy calves on screen in socks." This unequal treatment has far-reaching effects, Strack-Zimmermann argues: "Women learn early on to stand up for themselves, but at some point, many lose the desire for this political stage." This circumstance undermines the political prowess of future generations and sets unbalanced role models for young people.
The Union: A Stumbling Block?
Interestingly, Haßelmann sees an example of persistent inequality in the new power dynamics of the federal government, particularly with the Union: "How urgently a signal like this is needed can be seen in the Federal Chancellor, whose power circle consists only of men, and there's just one woman in the coalition committee, from the SPD." While the Greens are known for being at the forefront of gender parity, Strack-Zimmermann suggests the Union hasn't truly embraced this progress within its own party. She stresses the importance of female role models: "Especially young people look for a role model within their own gender. A woman heading the state would serve as a role model for young women, but also for young men, because it would shape their gender role early on."
Some Potential Candidates for Germany's First Female Federal President
The conversation about a woman in the Bellevue Palace is no longer hypothetical — there are names that have surfaced as potential candidates. Ilse Aigner, the current President of the Bavarian Landtag and former Federal Minister of Agriculture, has been on the shortlist, due to her reputation as a conciliatory personality with wide appeal across party lines. There are persistent rumors that the CSU had a side agreement regarding the right to propose a female federal president as part of the coalition contract.
Julia Klöckner, another former Federal Minister of Agriculture like Aigner, is also discussed as a possibility. Karin Prien, the Minister of Education and Families in Berlin and the deputy CDU federal chairperson with Jewish roots, could bring a progressive tone to the office.
In addition to politicians, societal figures in various media have been considered: Dunja Hayali, a TV moderator with Iraqi roots and a voice against racism, could bring significant societal weight to the position. The author Carolin Emcke, and the Jewish publisher Rachel Salamander, who embody values such as diversity, bravery, and conviction, are also in the running.
Could Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann Be the Next Federal President?
The question of whether Strack-Zimmermann could fill this role has been put to her: "Of course. I'd be less comfortable for some, perhaps even challenging, but always clear, open, and straightforward. What we don't need in these times are frills or political clichés." The Union, with the Federal Assembly, which consists of the members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the state parliaments, deciding on the Federal President, holds the key. If the Union doesn't play ball, another man will sit in Schloss Bellevue after Steinmeier.
As for the possibility of a woman in Schloss Bellevue in 2027, only time will tell. Stay tuned!
[1] Source: Why Latinas are underrepresented in politics[2] Source: Annalena Baerbock's political career[3] Source: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- In EC countries, the push for women in politics continues, as Germany discusses the possibility of electing a female Federal President in 2027.
- Science and health-and-wellness sectors could greatly benefit from vocational training programs tailored to women, to help address the underrepresentation in these fields and promote diversity and inclusion.
- Women's health is a critical policy and legislation issue, and creating progressive policies to support women's well-being is essential for achieving diversity and inclusion in Germany and beyond.
- The finance sector could also benefit from more female leadership, as women often bring unique perspectives and approaches to problem-solving and decision-making—key qualities for success in business and leadership positions.
- The current conversation around female presidential candidates in Germany raises the question: Should other EU countries consider following suit and electing more female leaders, to promote gender parity and ensure a more balanced representation of voices in policy and legislation, both within the EU and globally, as exemplified by figures like Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission?
