on 23 may 2004, schwan was the spd candidate for the german presidential election. she received 589 votes in the "bundesversammlung" (federal assembly) but was defeated by horst köhler who won 604 votes from the 1205 delegates. on 26 may 2008, spd chairman kurt beck announced schwan's renewed nomination for the upcoming presidential elections in 2009. once again she competed with horst köhler, who announced his renewed candidacy on 22 may 2008.