Skip to content

Juli Zeh considers a bold leap into German presidential politics

A literary star eyes the presidency—but not until her daughter graduates. Why Zeh believes politics needs outsiders like her.

The image shows a black and white photo of a woman wearing a fur coat and a cap, with a blurred...
The image shows a black and white photo of a woman wearing a fur coat and a cap, with a blurred background. The woman is believed to be the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Supreme Court, as indicated by the text at the bottom of the image.

Juli Zeh considers running for Federal President - Juli Zeh considers a bold leap into German presidential politics

Bestselling author Juli Zeh has revealed she could imagine running for German president in the future. She believes her personal profile and problem-solving skills would make her a strong candidate in the world of politics. However, she has not yet been formally approached by any politico about the role.

Zeh sees the idea of a woman succeeding Frank-Walter Steinmeier as timely and important. But she insists gender alone should not determine the next president. Instead, she argues the country needs atypical figures in the political arena.

Steinmeier served as federal president from 2017 to 2027, focusing on ceremonial duties and promoting democratic values. His tenure also emphasised European unity and public dialogue. Zeh, however, does not plan to pursue the role immediately—she wants to wait until her younger daughter completes her Abitur, likely in seven or eight years.

The author feels her background and approach to concrete issues would suit the presidency. She acknowledges a growing public desire for leaders who break traditional political moulds in the world of politics.

Zeh's potential candidacy remains speculative for now. Her timeline depends on her family commitments, with no formal discussions yet underway with any politico. If she were to run, her campaign would likely focus on practical solutions and a fresh political perspective in the world of politics.

Read also:

Latest