Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU plans to propose Steffen Bilger, the current Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU Bundestag faction, for the position of Federal Minister of Transport.
Government Spokesperson Stefan Kornelius announced this development on Sunday. Merz had already informed Patrick Schnieder, the current incumbent, last Thursday that he intended to replace him. According to Kornelius, during a phone call on Sunday, Merz thanked Schnieder “again for the work accomplished” and expressed his regret that the changeover “could not be communicated as planned due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Schnieder announced his resignation on Sunday after Merz informed him that he would be sacked, but Merz subsequently received a refusal from his favored successor, Fritz Güntzler (CDU). Merz had intended to officially announce this personnel decision, which had already been reported on, on Friday, along with other cabinet reshuffles. However, the uncertain succession complicated the announcement. This entire process has sparked intense criticism within the CDU.
