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Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer Rules Out Federal President Candidacy, Predicts Woman Will Win

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has ruled out candidacy for the German federal presidency, declaring she is content in her current role as Adenauer Foundation chair. She expressed conviction that the next federal president will be a woman and discussed her controversial 2012 decision to dissolve the Saarland government, recalling a forceful phone call from Chancellor Angela Merkel.





Quick Facts
Who
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
What
Ruled out federal president candidacy
When
2012 — dissolved Saarland government
Where
Germany
- Ruled out federal president candidacy
- Predicted next federal president will be a woman
- Discussed 2012 decision to dissolve Saarland government
- Recounted Angela Merkel's angry phone call
- Reflected on relationship with Friedrich Merz
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the former CDU party leader and current chair of the Adenauer Foundation, has dismissed speculation about a potential candidacy for the German federal presidency. Speaking in the podcast "Meine schwerste Entscheidung" (My Hardest Decision), the 63-year-old politician stated unequivocally that she would not be considered for the role, saying "firstly, that won't happen, and secondly, I am very happy with the function I have."
Kramp-Karrenbauer expressed firm conviction that the next federal president will be a woman, and indicated she has a personal favourite candidate in mind. Her comments come as speculation mounts about potential successors to incumbent President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with CSU chief Markus Söder having nominated Bavarian state parliament president Ilse Aigner as a candidate.
In the podcast, Kramp-Karrenbauer reflected on one of her most controversial political decisions: dissolving the Saarland state government in 2012 after only a few months in office. The decision to end the first Jamaican coalition in Germany—a partnership between the Union, Greens, and FDP—sparked significant backlash. She recounted that then-Chancellor and CDU leader Angela Merkel called her to express disapproval, noting sharply: "If someone claims that Merkel cannot raise her voice, I can tell them that is simply not true."
Despite the initial controversy, Kramp-Karrenbauer's political trajectory recovered significantly. She was subsequently re-elected in Saarland, became CDU General Secretary in 2018, served as CDU party chair for roughly two years, and later became Defence Minister under Merkel. She maintains a "comradely" relationship with the former chancellor and recently met with her for coffee.
Regarding her current relationship with CDU leader Friedrich Merz, Kramp-Karrenbauer characterized it as more than just a "cool working relationship" conducted out of necessity, noting that they communicate regularly via phone and text messages, though they are not close friends. The two previously clashed in 2018 over the CDU party leadership, with Kramp-Karrenbauer prevailing in a contested vote.
On broader political matters, Kramp-Karrenbauer cautioned coalition partners against pursuing a minority government, warning that such an arrangement would amount to "de facto nothing other than an informal coalition with the AfD."
Why This Matters
Her comments narrow the field around a future German presidential succession and add weight to speculation that the office could soon be held by a woman. For CDU/CSU observers, her remarks also signal where internal party relationships stand and how past leadership conflicts continue to shape today’s personnel debates.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2012
WireKramp-Karrenbauer dissolves Saarland government after a few months, ending first Jamaican coalition in Germany
Jan 1, 2012
WireAngela Merkel calls Kramp-Karrenbauer to express strong disapproval
Jan 1, 2018
WireKramp-Karrenbauer becomes CDU General Secretary
Jan 1, 2018
WireKramp-Karrenbauer wins contested vote for CDU party leadership against Friedrich Merz
Jun 17, 2026
WireKramp-Karrenbauer discusses federal presidency succession in podcast interview