Kubicki calls on Merz to face confidence vote amid growing CDU rebellion

Discontent within the Union over Chancellor Merz's personnel decisions is growing. The CDU state association of Rhineland-Palatinate is up in arms over the dismissal of Transport Minister Schnieder. Election campaigners in the east are also furious.

Criticism of Friedrich Merz continues unabated – some even speak of a "credibility deficit" within the CDU executive committee. FDP leader Kubicki concludes that the office of Chancellor is too big for Merz. More in the live ticker.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is using the resignation of Jens Spahn from the Union parliamentary group leadership as an opportunity to restructure the federal government and the CDU leadership. But the personnel reshuffle is chaotic – and there is strong criticism of Merz's approach.

Live Updates: All Developments in Federal Politics

09:00 AM – Tuesday, July 28

"Trust of the population destroyed at breathtaking speed"

FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki sharply criticizes the personnel changes in the federal government: "What Friedrich Merz is doing right now is more than just technical errors or a lack of political instinct. It is an open display that the office of Federal Chancellor is too big for him," he writes on X. He has destroyed the trust of the population "at breathtaking speed." By now, he is a chancellor without authority. Only the German Bundestag can "help him out of this misery." "Merz should therefore face a vote of confidence."

06:57 AM – Tuesday, July 28

"It's about the overall picture: Merz can't do it"

In the meetings of the CDU's top committees, the chancellor was unable to dampen the anger. On the contrary: there was massive criticism of his leadership style. There is talk of an "arrogant" conduct of office. According to "Table.Media," Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Gordon Schnieder is said to have "frontally attacked" the chancellor. He asked Merz whether he even allowed himself to be advised. Many also addressed the poor mood at the grassroots level. A member of the federal executive committee said: "It's not about botched changes or failed press conferences. It's about the overall picture: Merz can't do it." The "Tagesspiegel" also quoted from the CDU federal executive committee: "The Federal Chancellor has a credibility deficit."

08:06 PM – Monday, July 27

Dismissed Health State Secretary Sorge accuses Merz of poor style

The former Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health, Tino Sorge, accuses Chancellor Merz of poor style after his dismissal, which Merz announced. "I take note of the Federal Chancellor's decision," explained CDU politician Sorge. "That he announced it – instead of having a personal conversation with me – first in party committees and before the press remains his own question of style." Read more here.

03:52 PM – Monday, July 27

Successor still unclear – Minister of State for Sport must go

In the midst of a major elite sports reform and Germany's bid for the Olympics, Chancellor Merz is filling the post of Minister of State for Sport with a new person. Christiane Schenderlein (CDU) must leave the newly created office after just 14 months and moves as Parliamentary State Secretary to the Ministry of Health. "I respect this wish and at the same time look forward to the new task," said Schenderlein in a statement regarding her replacement, which had led to massive discontent in the east German CDU state associations. Merz initially left the succession open, saying he would present his personnel solution at a later date. However, the CDU leader assured that no vacuum would arise in the Minister of State for Sport's office.

02:47 PM – Monday, July 27

"You're not running a company here" – sharp criticism of Merz behind closed doors

According to reports, party leader Friedrich Merz faced harsh opposition at the CDU executive committee meeting. The CDU state chairman of Bremen, Heiko Strohmann, said: "You are running a party here, not a company." This is reported by "Stern." Merz is said to have reacted touchily; he was "irritated" that this was not understood.