Merz Reshuffles Cabinet After Spahn Exit, Puts First Woman in Charge of Chancellery
Published on 07/24/2026 at 01:20 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Berlin — Friedrich Merz is rolling out a broad personnel shakeup following Jens Spahn’s abrupt resignation on Thursday, with several top government posts changing hands. The official announcement is expected later today.
Health Minister Nina Warken will move to the Chancellery, becoming the first woman to lead the powerful federal office. She is vacating her current post after making a name for herself with an overhaul of Germany’s statutory health insurance system. Thorsten Frei is stepping aside from the Chancellery chief role to make room for her.
Warken initially hesitated over family concerns but ultimately accepted the offer. She is scheduled to be sworn in after the summer parliamentary recess.
Carsten Linnemann, the CDU’s secretary-general, is taking over the Health Ministry — a job he had previously turned down. This time he agreed. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Greens and the Left, who have voiced reservations about his appointment.
Thorsten Frei will lead the Union parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder jointly proposed him for the role. Lawmakers are set to vote on his candidacy on July 29. Frei succeeds Spahn, who resigned after a controversy over surrogacy.
Linnemann’s departure from the party post opens up the CDU secretary-general position. Franziska Hoppermann is considered the frontrunner. Philipp Amthor is being discussed for a role as state minister in the Chancellery or as the federal-state commissioner.
Party insiders say the personnel package is largely settled. The goal is to restore the government’s ability to act after Spahn’s unexpected departure.
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