Merkel is coming back

&ldquo;CDU leadership trembling: hot rumor about a new high position for Merkel,&rdquo; &ldquo;Will she become Federal President? CDU shaken by rumor about Merkel from Green camp.&rdquo; These are the headlines on German portals Bild.de and Focus.de this morning, which have resonated in German public discourse like a bomb.Retired Angela Merkel is once again at the center of political speculation in Germany, after reports suggested that the former chancellor could be a candidate for Federal President in 2027. Although there is no official confirmation from the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) or other parties, the mere fact that her name has resurfaced in this context has sparked intense reactions in the political scene.Bild writes about a &ldquo;surprising scenario&rdquo; circulating in political Berlin, while Focus refers to a possible candidacy that could alter the balance of power after the 2027 presidential elections. Both media outlets emphasize that this is speculation, but that the idea is being seriously considered in certain circles.At the center of these considerations is the relationship between retired Merkel and current Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Although both belong to the CDU, their political rivalry has lasted more than two decades. Merkel marginalized Merz within the CDU in the early 2000s, and their conflict has never been resolved. After withdrawing from politics in 2021, Merz shifted the party to the right, away from the centrist, moderately left-leaning course that characterized Merkel&rsquo;s era.For this reason, some see the idea that Merkel could serve as a counterweight to Merz and the strengthening of the right as being discussed in opposition Green circles, and partially among the Social Democratic Party (SPD). As president, she would not have executive powers but would hold strong symbolic and moral authority. Her candidacy, according to these interpretations, could signal continuity and moderation, in contrast to the harder line of the current chancellor. At the same time, Merkel still enjoys respect among part of the CDU membership, which could potentially make it harder for Merz to openly oppose such an idea.The German Federal President holds a largely ceremonial role and is not directly elected by the public but by the Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung), a special body that convenes every five years solely for this purpose. It consists of all members of the Bundestag and an equal number of representatives appointed by state parliaments. An absolute majority is required in the first two rounds of voting, while a relative majority suffices in the third round. For this reason, the ability to achieve broad political consensus is crucial.Merkel Christoph Soeder / AFP / ProfimediaIn this context, the opposition Greens and SPD could play an important role. If they decided to support a candidate outside the current governing majority, they could influence the outcome, especially if the balance of power in the Bundestag and state parliaments is tight. In some of these circles, according to media reports, Merkel is seen as a figure capable of uniting a broader centrist bloc and preventing further polarization of the political scene.At the same time, other names are being considered within the CDU. Bundestag President B&auml;rbel Bas and Education Minister Karin Prien are mentioned as potential candidates for the Federal Presidency. Both belong to the CDU and enjoy strong confidence from Chancellor Merz, and their candidacies would send a clear message of continuity within the Christian Democratic camp.Merkel&rsquo;s political legacy continues to strongly shape the debate. During the 2015 migrant crisis, she decided that Germany would accept hundreds of thousands of refugees, accompanied by the message &ldquo;Wir schaffen das&rdquo; (&ldquo;We can do this&rdquo;). This decision bolstered her international reputation among liberal circles but also deepened domestic divisions and contributed to the rise of right-wing populist forces, most notably the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Even earlier, during the Eurozone crisis, Merkel was a key figure in shaping European bailout packages and promoting fiscal discipline, earning her a reputation as one of Europe&rsquo;s most powerful politicians.Whether these media speculations will lead to an actual candidacy is currently uncertain. But the mere possibility of Angela Merkel returning to the political forefront, even in a ceremonial role, demonstrates how much her political shadow still looms over Germany&mdash;and how the current balance of power in Berlin remains tied to her legacy. The current German Federal President is the Social Democrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has held the office since 2017.

Merkel is coming back

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