An indirect presidential election (officially the 13th Federal Convention) was held in Germany on 23 May 2009.

[2] The Left (successor of the Party of Democratic Socialism) indicated they might be prepared to support Schwan if the SPD agreed to be open to cooperation with the Left on the federal level,[3] but ultimately decided they would present their own candidate.

Frank Rennicke was nominated as the joint candidate of the far-right parties NPD and DVU.

Following the Hesse state elections in January 2009, which strengthened CDU and FDP, and the Free Voters' promise to support Köhler, his reelection was seen as likely; however, CDU/CSU, FDP and Free Voters only had a slim majority in the Federal Assembly (50.16%), which made the election very competitive.

His nearest rival's, Social Democrat Gesine Schwan, received 503 votes making a second round unnecessary.