A new political initiative in Bavaria is aiming to change the state constitution to restrict the tenure of the Minister-President. The Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP) announced plans to launch a citizens' petition, known as a Volksbegehren, which would limit the head of the state government to a maximum of two legislative periods, or ten years. If successful, this constitutional amendment would prevent current Minister-President Markus Söder from seeking a third term in the 2028 state election, as he has held the office since 2018.
The proposal is notable for its historical irony, as it mirrors a legislative draft originally introduced by Söder himself in 2018. At that time, Söder sought to implement a ten-year term limit, but the proposal failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority in the Bavarian state parliament. The ÖDP now intends to adopt that same framework to push for the change through a direct democratic process, bypassing the legislative deadlock that blocked the measure years ago.
For the initiative to proceed, the ÖDP must first collect 25,000 signatures to authorize the petition. The party expects the formal petition process to take place in early 2027, with a potential statewide referendum following several months later if the signature threshold is met. The move has drawn immediate skepticism from government officials, including Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, who questioned the necessity and impact of such a restriction.
This development adds a new layer of pressure on Söder, who has led the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the state government for nearly a decade. While the CSU remains the dominant political force in Bavaria, the prospect of a constitutional limit on his power introduces uncertainty regarding the party's long-term leadership strategy. As the ÖDP begins its signature drive, the debate over the balance between political continuity and the renewal of democratic leadership is expected to intensify across the state.