Berlin Shuffles Cabinet as Summer Recess Delays Swearing-In of New Ministers
Published on 07/29/2026 at 16:14 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Germany’s political landscape shifted Wednesday when Chancellor Friedrich Merz appointed replacements for three federal ministries, triggering a chain of personnel moves that critics say leaves key posts unfilled and raises constitutional questions about swearing-in timing.
Steffen Bilger takes over as transport minister, succeeding Patrick Schnieder. Carsten Linnemann assumes leadership of the health ministry from Nina Warken, who herself moves to the chancellery as minister of state. Warken first received her dismissal papers for the health portfolio before President Frank-Walter Steinmeier formally appointed her to replace Thorsten Frei as head of the chancellery.
Frei, in turn, was elected by the Union parliamentary group as its new chairman Wednesday afternoon. He directly succeeds Jens Spahn, who resigned following a controversy over surrogacy. Frei’s shift to the parliamentary role created the vacancy that Warken filled.
“Given the economic slowdown and geopolitical crises, reforms are urgently needed,” Steinmeier said as he thanked outgoing ministers.
Parliamentary Oath Delayed Until September
The official swearing-in of the new ministers before the Bundestag will not occur until September 9 — the parliament is currently in its summer break. Steinmeier described the delay as “constitutionally problematic.” Legal experts note that under the Basic Law, the oath of office should be taken immediately upon assuming a position. Convening a special session of parliament would cost an estimated 193,530 euros.
Further appointments announced by Merz include Franziska Hoppermann as CDU general secretary, Philipp Amthor as state minister in the chancellery focusing on federal-state relations, and Catarina dos Santos-Wintz as first parliamentary secretary.
Regional Representation Sparks Internal Criticism
The reshuffle has drawn fire from within the CDU over regional balance. The party’s Rhineland-Palatinate state association complained that Schnieder left the cabinet without a direct successor from the region. Party members also noted that the departure of a state secretary reduces eastern German representation in the chancellery.
Several state secretary positions also changed hands: Gitta Connemann moves to the digital ministry, Johannes Steiniger to the economics ministry, and Christiane Schenderlein becomes state secretary in the health ministry, replacing Tino Sorge.
Despite the flurry of appointments, five positions remain vacant — including the sports state minister and the CDU treasurer. Merz expressed satisfaction with the progress so far, even as the reorganization drew public complaints from individual party members.
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