German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said that Germany must appoint a woman as head of state for the first time. The ruling coalition is about to decide who will succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier as president next year. According to reports, at a closed-door meeting held in Berlin on Monday, Mertz said, “I will propose to the party a candidate acceptable to all parties, a candidate from the political center.” He said, “One thing I have firmly decided is: it must be a woman.” He did not disclose the candidate's name.

German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz said that Germany must appoint a woman as head of state for the first time. The ruling coalition is about to decide who will succeed Frank-Walter Steinmeier as president next year. According to reports, at a closed-door meeting held in Berlin on Monday, Mertz said, “I will propose to the party a candidate acceptable to all parties, a candidate from the political center.” He said, “One thing I have firmly decided is: it must be a woman.” He did not disclose the candidate's name.