Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is continuing to reshape his government team, bringing former international football player Nadine Kessler into the federal cabinet. According to reporting by “Handelsblatt”, which cited government and party sources, the 38-year-old is slated to take on the role of State Minister for Sport and Volunteering within the Chancellery. Kessler will replace Christiane Schenderlein (CDU), who is reportedly moving to the Federal Ministry of Health as a Parliamentary State Secretary. The former professional soccer player was named World Footballer in 2014 and has since held leadership positions in international football, most recently managing women’s football for UEFA.
Merz is implementing changes elsewhere in the government as well. Gitta Connemann (CDU), who previously served as the government’s representative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), is transitioning from the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs to the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs as a Parliamentary State Secretary. In the Digital Ministry, she will succeed Philipp Amthor (CDU), who is moving to the Chancellery as a State Minister. Furthermore, the role of SME representative will be taken over by Johannes Steiniger, a CDU Member of Parliament. Steiniger, who is the General Secretary for CDU Rhineland-Palatinate, belongs to the regional association of former Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder.
