Hape Kerkeling addresses potential German presidency candidacy

German comedian and author Hape Kerkeling has addressed growing public interest regarding a potential candidacy for the office of Federal President. A petition titled ‘Hape Kerkeling as Federal President – a sign of a strong democracy!’ has garnered over 154,000 signatures, calling for him to be nominated as a non-partisan candidate to represent social cohesion.

In recent interviews, the 61-year-old has not explicitly ruled out entering politics, stating that given the current global political climate, he ‘excludes nothing anymore.’ However, he noted the practical difficulties of such a path, mentioning that a successful candidacy would likely require support from the CDU.

The debate follows the upcoming expiration of Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s second term, with the next presidential election scheduled for January 30, 2027. Kerkeling, known for his work as a comedian and author, has also been vocal on political issues, including advocating for a ban on the AfD party.