German chancellor announces cabinet reshuffle

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a cabinet reshuffle on July 24, appointing Carsten Linnemann as the new health minister and Nina Warken as his chief of staff.

Linnemann, who previously served as general secretary of Merz’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will replace Warken as health minister. Warken will take over as chief of staff following a recent vacancy, becoming the first woman to hold the position, Caliber.Az reports per German media.

“The personnel changes follow a clear line,” Merz said. “We want a government that works with great vigor and pleasure and also represents the personal diversity of our society and politics. We are a reform government and want to continue showing that.”

Philipp Amthor also joined the government as minister of state responsible for managing the federal government’s relations with Germany’s 16 states.

Merz said further cabinet changes would be announced in the near future, adding that the decisions could take “a few days yet, and perhaps more time.”

German tabloid Bild separately reported that Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder could leave the government, although Merz did not comment on the position during Friday’s press conference.

Several German media outlets have also reported that CDU Treasurer Franziska Hoppermann is being considered as the party’s next general secretary.

By Sabina Mammadli