Overview
- The reshuffle began after senior CDU figure Jens Spahn resigned over his use of a surrogate, prompting Chancellor Friedrich Merz to reorganize key posts in his cabinet.
- Lawmakers from the CDU/CSU elected Thorsten Frei as their parliamentary group leader with about 91.9 percent support on Wednesday, ending a quick, tightly watched internal vote.
- President Frank-Walter Steinmeier formally appointed new ministers including Carsten Linnemann as health minister and Steffen Bilger as transport minister, but officials postponed Bundestag oaths until September to avoid recalling parliament.
- The changes sparked visible dissent inside the conservative bloc, including the sacking of Patrick Schnieder, a leaked letter from Rhineland-Palatinate conservatives refusing a meeting with Merz, and public complaints from displaced figures.
- Polling shows the far-right AfD leading at roughly 27 percent while the conservatives sit near 21 percent and Merz’s personal approval is low, raising the risk of AfD gains in eastern state elections and complicating coalition coordination.