Will Germany elect a woman as head of state?

"The center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the environmentalist Greens are campaigning for a woman to succeed him. This would be a first in history: Twelve men have held Germany's top office since the end of World War II."

"Germans do not directly elect their president. A special assembly, the Federal Convention, elects the president for a term of five years by secret ballot, without debate. The president can be reelected once. This assembly is convened exclusively to select the president."

"It is made up of the 630 lawmakers from the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, and an equal number of representatives from Germany's 16 federal states. These can be state politicians, but also distinguished citizens, such as athletes or artists."

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's second term ends in early 2025, prompting the SPD and Greens to campaign for a female successor, marking a potential first in German history. The Green Party initially proposed former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who rejected the idea as absurd, citing her rivalry with current Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz announced he would propose a candidate in September after state elections clarify the Federal Convention's composition. Germany's president is elected by the Federal Convention, comprising 630 Bundestag lawmakers and 630 state representatives, requiring an absolute majority vote by secret ballot. Presidential candidates must be German citizens aged at least 40.

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