The cabinet restructuring led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) appears to be larger and more extensive than initially understood. According to reports citing CDU circles, Merz is also dismissing Patrick Schnieder, the Federal Minister of Transport. The Chancellor’s decisive action stems from deep and continuing dissatisfaction with Schnieder’s leadership, particularly concerning persistent crises within the rail network and infrastructure.
Government sources, as reported, described Schnieder’s performance with cynical irony, noting that he claimed there was no money for new bridges and infrastructure projects despite benefiting from a record budget. Furthermore, the Chancellor has reportedly become “increasingly irritated” by the lack of progress within the transport ministry, arguing that Schnieder failed to tackle the profound issues even with the available multi-billion-euro budget.
While stating to reporters that he is not someone who issues daily directives to ministers, Merz emphasized that if fundamental duties are not being performed, he will ultimately take appropriate action. This ongoing reorganization of Merz’s cabinet continues. Separately, Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is set to become the first woman to lead the chancellery, with CDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann appointed as her successor.
