Germany: Friedrich Merz Announces Cabinet Reshuffle

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday announced a cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of senior conservative politician Jens Spahn over a surrogacy controversy, with more changes expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

Merz named Carsten Linnemann, who has served as the general secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as Germany’s new health minister, replacing Nina Warken.

Warken has, in turn, been appointed as the chancellor’s new chief of staff, becoming the first woman to occupy the position.

Addressing journalists during the announcement, Merz said the appointments were part of efforts to strengthen his administration and reflect greater diversity in government.

“The personnel changes follow a clear line,” Merz said. “We want a government that works with great vigor and pleasure and also represents the personal diversity of our society and politics. We are a reform government and want to continue showing that.”

The chancellor also introduced Philipp Amthor as the new minister of state responsible for coordinating relations between the federal government and Germany’s 16 states.

Merz disclosed that additional cabinet changes would be announced soon.

“Those decisions would take a few days yet, and perhaps more time,” he said.

Although German tabloid Bild reported that Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is expected to step down, Merz did not comment on the report during the press conference.

Several German media outlets have also reported that CDU Treasurer Franziska Hoppermann is being considered to succeed Linnemann as the party’s next general secretary.

The reshuffle follows the resignation of Jens Spahn as the CDU’s parliamentary leader last weekend after he faced widespread criticism over a surrogacy controversy.

Spahn had revealed that he and his partner became parents through a surrogate mother in the United States, a disclosure that sparked accusations of hypocrisy because surrogacy is prohibited in Germany and the CDU has consistently supported maintaining the country’s ban on the practice.

Earlier this week, Merz appointed his former chief of staff, Thorsten Frei, to fill another senior government position, paving the way for Friday’s broader cabinet changes.

The reshuffle comes as Merz faces mounting political pressure, with his approval ratings declining while Germany, Europe’s largest economy, continues to grapple with prolonged economic stagnation.