Merz Completes Chaotic Cabinet Reshuffle After Spahn Resignation

Chancellor Friedrich Merz completed a disorderly reorganization of his CDU-led cabinet, triggered by the resignation of Jens Spahn as CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader amid controversy over his use of a US surrogate to have a child — a practice banned in Germany. On July 24, Merz announced that his Chancellery chief of staff Thorsten Frei would succeed Spahn as parliamentary group leader; Health Minister Nina Warken would move to head the Federal Chancellery in Frei's place; and CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann would become the new health minister. The transport portfolio proved more turbulent: Merz's initial pick to replace Patrick Schnieder withdrew unexpectedly, leaving Schnieder in limbo for several days before he requested release from the role. The reshuffle was finalized on July 27 with the appointment of Steffen Bilger, the CDU/CSU group's First Parliamentary Secretary, as the new transport minister. The chaotic handling of the reorganization further damaged Merz's standing within his own party just weeks before September's high-stakes eastern state elections.