Frei takes over from Jens Spahn, who resigned due to a controversy involving his use of a surrogate to have a child. The resignation led Merz to initiate a broader cabinet reshuffle.
Earlier on Wednesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed three new CDU ministers proposed by the chancellor.
Former CDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann became health minister, replacing Nina Warken, who is now the head of the Chancellery. Steffen Bilger was named transport minister, replacing Patrick Schnieder.
“Reshuffling governments is nothing unusual in the history of the Federal Republic. There have always been cabinet reshuffles during an ongoing legislative term,” Steinmeier stated in a speech supporting Merz.
The new ministers have officially taken office but must still be sworn in by Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag. Officials chose to delay the oaths until September, when parliament convenes its first session after the summer recess, to avoid bringing lawmakers back early, concerned that the costs could lead to public criticism ahead of important regional elections.
Maximilian Stascheit contributed to this report from Berlin.













Leave a Reply