Friedrich Merz announced several shake-ups within the CDU executive, extending beyond the existing restructuring involving the Health Ministry and the Chancellery. While Merz confirmed future changes within the federal cabinet, he initially declined to confirm the dismissal of Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU).
Speaking in Berlin on Friday, Merz stated, “There will be further changes in the federal cabinet. I will inform you about them in due time, but given the summer break, these decisions require a few days, and perhaps more time.” He added that the changes would be made “without time pressure and with the requisite care and necessary discussions.”
Early on Friday, media reports had suggested that Schnieder was facing removal, with the Chancellor reportedly dissatisfied with the Minister’s recent performance. Fritz Güntzler (CDU) has been cited as a potential replacement.
Separately, Merz made public the movement of Nina Warken (CDU), who will succeed Thorstein Frei (CDU) as Health Minister. Frei is set to transition to lead the CDU parliamentary group, taking over from Jens Spahn (CDU).
Regarding the Health portfolio, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann is set to take over from Warken. Merz indicated that he would provide updates on Linnemann’s replacement following appropriate party committee meetings, with the current party Treasurer, Franziska Hoppermann, being discussed as a potential candidate.
Meanwhile, current Parliamentary State Secretary Philipp Amthor (CDU) will transition from the Digital Ministry to take the role of State Minister for Federal-State Relations in the Chancellery.
