Der deutsche Kanzler Merz hat nach einer Affäre in seinen eigenen Reihen die Regierungsreform abgeschlossen.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has completed the restructuring of his government following internal scandals, appointing a new transport minister to replace Patrick Schneider. The decision was announced during a press conference after a meeting of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leadership, according to the German news agency dpa. Steffen Bilger, a 47-year-old CDU member of parliament, will officially take over the role of transport minister on Wednesday. Merz emphasized that he expects Bilger to utilize opportunities presented by an investment program under the federal ministry of transport, which is part of a special fund worth 500 billion euros. A large portion of this fund is allocated to infrastructure projects. Merz noted that investments must be carried out swiftly to justify borrowing money. Germany has recently softened its traditional reluctance toward debt to enable increased spending on defense and infrastructure, according to the French news agency AFP. The announcement that Merz intended to replace Schneider had already surfaced earlier in the week, though the chancellor did not formally confirm it until now. It is believed that Merz's initial candidate for the position withdrew at the last moment. Schneider himself requested his resignation on Sunday. Merz expressed regret over how the situation unfolded, stating that he does not have issues with Schneider. Schneider has faced criticism for months as transport minister due to inefficiencies in improving Germany’s problematic railway infrastructure. The government reshuffle followed the resignation of Jens Spahn from his position as leader of the parliamentary group of the conservative alliance CDU/CSU in the German parliament, triggered by a scandal involving substitute motherhood, which is not permitted in Germany. Both Merz and Spahn are members of the CDU, which explicitly opposes this practice. Spahn will be replaced as head of the parliamentary group by Thorsten Frei, the 52-year-old head of the chancellor’s office. In turn, Frei will be succeeded by current health minister Nina Warken. The new health minister will be Carsten Linnemann, currently the general secretary of the CDU, while Warken’s position will be taken over by MP Franziska Hoppermann, according to dpa. Merz’s decision to restructure his cabinet comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the CDU and its leadership. The party faces pressure to address internal conflicts and restore public confidence. With the appointment of Bilger as transport minister, Merz aims to signal a fresh start for his administration. However, the challenges facing the government remain significant, particularly regarding the management of the substantial investment funds and the need for swift implementation of infrastructure projects. The transition within the CDU leadership highlights the broader political dynamics within Germany’s ruling party. As Spahn steps down, Frei takes over the parliamentary group, marking a shift in power within the CDU/CSU coalition. This change is expected to influence future policy directions and strategic decisions made by the government. With the restructuring complete, attention turns to the performance of the newly appointed ministers and their ability to deliver on key promises. The focus will be on whether the investment programs can be executed efficiently and effectively, ensuring that the borrowed funds are used wisely to enhance both infrastructure and national security. The coming months will be crucial in determining the success of these initiatives and the overall stability of Merz’s government.