German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has completed the cabinet reshuffle announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). On Wednesday, at his official residence, the President handed appointment certificates to the new Health Minister Carsten Linnemann, Chancellery Minister Nina Warken, and Transport Minister Steffen Bilger, all members of the CDU. The outgoing cabinet members received their certificates of dismissal.
As requested by Merz, Steinmeier dismissed Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU). Warken was also relieved of her post as Health Minister, as was Thorsten Frei (CDU) as Chancellery Minister. Frei is set to be elected the new chairman of the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag on Wednesday afternoon.
Steinmeier thanked the outgoing ministers. Regarding Schnieder, whose dismissal by Chancellor Merz had caused unrest within parts of the Union, Steinmeier said he had faced a "Herculean task" in modernizing Germany's infrastructure, from bridges to roads to the rail network, while keeping it running. Schnieder had "initiated this process, always aware that it requires time and perseverance."
Chancellor Merz was also present at the ceremony. Schnieder shook the Chancellor's hand after his dismissal, and the two exchanged a few words. Chancellery Minister Frei had coordinated government work "at a central point" during "these challenging times," the President emphasized. He had "earned respect through his ability to negotiate fairly, building bridges across party and parliamentary group lines."
Warken, too, had taken on an "extraordinarily demanding and immensely important task" as Health Minister, Steinmeier continued. She had "succeeded in initiating reforms and demonstrating responsibility for our children and grandchildren, who are especially dependent on a sustainable welfare state." As Chancellery Minister, she will now become the first woman to hold that office.
The President called on the new Health Minister, Linnemann, to "continue the reform process with full determination and vigor, always in the spirit of balancing solidarity, fair distribution of burdens, and affordability." It was necessary, he said, "to balance the various interests so that citizens can trust that they will continue to receive good medical care in the future."
To the new Transport Minister, Bilger, Steinmeier said he faced "great tasks and even greater expectations" in the role. He urged Bilger "to consistently push forward the renovation and modernization of our transport infrastructure while involving all interest groups."
In his address, Steinmeier also addressed the government's decision to postpone the new ministers' swearing-in before the Bundestag until its next session in September, a move considered legally sensitive.
The President stressed that the oath "carries weight and demands attention above all because it gives solemn expression to the government's parliamentary accountability." It is enshrined in the Basic Law. "I have taken note that the ministers will take this oath at the first session of the Bundestag after the summer recess," Steinmeier added.
The cabinet reshuffle was set in motion by the resignation of Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU), who stepped down over allegations concerning his use of a surrogate mother in the United States for the birth of his son. Merz then used the vacancy in the key faction post as an opportunity for a broader cabinet overhaul.
The drawn-out affair surrounding Transport Minister Schnieder caused particular controversy. Merz had already informed him on Thursday that he intended to dismiss him, but the move was delayed after a potential successor withdrew at short notice. In protest at Merz's handling of the matter, the CDU state parliamentary group from Schnieder's home state of Rhineland-Palatinate canceled a planned meeting with the Chancellor scheduled for September.
"The Federal Chancellor has decided to fill positions in his government anew," Steinmeier said in his speech. "What matters most in this is always the federal government's ability to function and act. Securing that is the Federal Chancellor's primary responsibility." Despite the still-pending swearing-in, the newly appointed ministers will take over their respective departments later the same day.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
