Ilse Aigner’s office has ruled out a meeting with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) during Bundestag visits reported by dpa, ahead of Germany’s Jan. 30 presidential election.
Beatrix von Storch, the AfD’s deputy parliamentary leader, called Aigner’s nomination a disgrace, dpa reported. Aigner aide Eric Markuse then told the news agency that a visit to the AfD parliamentary group was unnecessary.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) executive board nominated Aigner on Nov. 9. She belongs to the Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, and has presided over Bavaria’s state parliament since 2018. She served as federal agriculture minister from 2008 to 2013. Her nomination followed a dispute over conservative influence in the selection.
Under the schedule reported by dpa, Aigner’s Tuesday visits begin with the CDU/CSU Bundestag group at 9 a.m. ET (14:00 UTC). Talks with Social Democratic Party (SPD) lawmakers are set for 10 a.m. ET (15:00 UTC), with the Greens to follow. Dpa reported that Chancellor Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder are expected at the CDU/CSU meeting.
Aigner would become Germany’s first female president if elected. The Federal Convention, or Bundesversammlung, will bring together 630 Bundestag members and 630 delegates selected by state parliaments. It is scheduled to elect a successor to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Jan. 30, 2027; his term ends March 18.
