German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a cabinet reshuffle on Friday, 24 July 2026, signaling the first major changes to the federal government since taking office. Merz emphasized that further personnel adjustments are expected in the coming weeks.
Triggered by Resignation of Jens Spahn
The reshuffle follows the resignation of Jens Spahn as leader of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group. Spahn stepped down amid public backlash over his decision to have a child via surrogacy in the United States — a practice banned in Germany. Spahn had previously voiced strong opposition to surrogacy in multiple public statements, intensifying scrutiny over the perceived contradiction.
New Appointments and Key Moves
Merz, together with CSU leader Markus Söder, has proposed Torsten Frei — currently head of the Chancellery’s executive office — as the new parliamentary group leader. His election is scheduled for 29 July.
Nina Warken, the current Federal Minister of Health, will succeed Frei as Head of the Chancellery. Warken, credited with spearheading recent reforms to Germany’s healthcare system, was described by Merz as his “most important pillar” during today’s announcement.
Warken will be replaced at the Ministry of Health by Carsten Linnemann, formerly Secretary General of the CDU. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Digital Policy Philipp Amthor will move to the Chancellery as Deputy Minister for Federal-State Relations.
Transport Minister Set for Replacement
According to reports from German media outlets including BILD, Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) is also expected to be replaced — reportedly by CDU MP Fritz Güntzler, who oversees fiscal policy in parliament. While Merz did not confirm this change publicly, he acknowledged that “further personnel adjustments” are forthcoming.
BILD reported that Merz is dissatisfied with Schnieder’s performance, particularly due to stalled progress on infrastructure projects within his portfolio. The same report indicated growing concerns about Economics Minister Katharina Reich, who allegedly received a formal warning — referred to internally as a “yellow card” — from the Chancellery over her ministry’s performance.