German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a significant reshuffling of top government posts on Friday, a move aimed at strengthening his administration ahead of key regional elections and amid a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Merz, who took office just over a year ago with a mandate to revitalize Germany's economy, has faced a slow start to his promised economic reforms and struggled to gain public confidence. His center-right Union bloc and the center-left Social Democrats coalition has been hampered by voter dissatisfaction, contributing to Merz's declining personal popularity.
The cabinet changes were prompted in part by the resignation of a senior ally, Jens Spahn, who stepped down as leader of the Union's parliamentary group following revelations that he and his husband had used a surrogate mother in the United States, a practice not permitted in Germany. Merz plans to appoint his chief of staff, Thorsten Frei, to succeed Spahn in this influential role.
Nina Warken, the current Health Minister, will transition to Frei's former position as chief of staff at the chancellery, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Carsten Linnemann, the general secretary of Merz's Christian Democratic Union party, is slated to become the new Health Minister. Merz indicated that further cabinet adjustments are expected in the coming days.
"The personnel changes follow a clear line," Merz stated. "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 government faces three critical regional elections in September. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is vying for a majority that would secure its first state governorship. The coalition has recently unveiled ambitious reform plans, including a gradual increase in the retirement age, tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners, and measures to reduce bureaucratic red tape, in an effort to regain public favor after periods of internal coalition disputes.
Merz had recently asserted that the government had "found its rhythm" and was "delivering" on its tasks. However, the controversy surrounding Spahn's use of surrogacy, which contrasts with his party's public stance against the practice, created a new distraction.
Frei, who previously served as the Union's parliamentary chief whip, is seen as well-suited for the leadership of the parliamentary group. Warken's appointment to the chancellery follows her success in steering reforms to the German health insurance system through parliament.
Linnemann, described as a conservative without prior government experience, will inherit the Health Ministry portfolio. Merz emphasized the need to "maintain the course of reform" in health policy, requiring a "steadfast" minister.
Political science professor Uwe Jun commented that Merz is seeking to demonstrate the coalition's and his own capacity for decisive action. "He wants to put it on a faster and stronger path now."
While Merz did not address media reports about potential changes to the Transport Minister position, the coalition has previously established a significant fund for infrastructure upgrades, yet public dissatisfaction with issues such as the unreliability of the national railway persists.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel criticized the reshuffle, characterizing it as causing "yet more chaos" and arguing that the government's preoccupation with internal matters neglects Germany's broader problems. The next national election is not scheduled until early 2029.