German President Steinmeier appoints three new CDU ministers, hints at criticism of delayed oath

Chancellor Merz is under pressure following the personnel reshuffle in the federal cabinet triggered by Spahn's resignation. Internal party criticism is sometimes harsh. WELT reporter Marco Reinke reports.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has appointed the new ministers for the departments of Transport and Health, as well as for the Chancellery. He also called for further reforms. More in the live ticker.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has used the resignation of Jens Spahn from the Union parliamentary group leadership as an opportunity to comprehensively restructure the federal government and the CDU leadership. However, the personnel reshuffle is chaotic – and there is major criticism of Merz's approach.

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12:19 PM – Steinmeier Appoints Three New CDU Ministers – and Dismisses Schnieder and Frei

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented the outgoing federal ministers with their dismissal certificates at the Presidential Office. Warken received her appointment certificate as Head of the Chancellery, Linnemann his certificate as Health Minister, and Bilger his certificate as Transport Minister. Patrick Schnieder received his dismissal certificate, as did Thorsten Frei, who is leaving his post as Head of the Chancellery and is to be elected today as Union parliamentary group leader.

Patrick Schnieder receives his dismissal certificate. Source: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

12:15 PM – Steinmeier Wishes Linnemann and Bilger Success

Steinmeier wished Linnemann as Health Minister and Bilger as Transport Minister all the best, noting that difficult tasks lie ahead of them.

12:12 PM – Steinmeier: Outstanding Challenges for Warken

Steinmeier thanked outgoing Health Minister Nina Warken on behalf of the country. The reform of the healthcare system was an outstanding challenge. "You too had to overcome more than one obstacle. You did so with expertise and reason." He congratulated her on her new role in the Chancellery, as the first woman in the position.

12:09 PM – Steinmeier Paints Picture of International Crisis – and Thanks Frei and Schnieder

In light of international tensions, Federal President Steinmeier called for self-confidence and a willingness to reform. Germany must also stand by its values and convictions even when other states react with "pressure and threats." As the third-largest economy, the Federal Republic must find new approaches to renew its economy.

Steinmeier expressed confidence that today's commitment to reforms, investments, defense capability, and alliance loyalty will pay off in the future. "Let us have confidence in ourselves," said the Federal President.

He thanked outgoing Head of the Chancellery Thorsten Frei for his efforts, saying it was a difficult task. He also emphasized the difficulties of outgoing Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder in reforming infrastructure and wished him all the best for the future.

Frei, Schnieder, Warken, Linnemann, and Bilger (from left to right). Source: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

12:04 PM – Steinmeier Hints at Criticism of Late Swearing-In of New Ministers

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed the ministers and journalists to his alternate office at the Spreebogen between the Chancellery and the main train station.

"The Federal Chancellor has decided to fill positions in his cabinet anew." The Basic Law provides for an oath of office upon taking office, "which requires weight and attention above all because it gives solemn expression to the parliamentary accountability of the government."

"I have taken note that the ministers will take this oath in the first week after the summer break." With this, he hinted at criticism of the decision that the ministers are to be sworn in only at the beginning of September.

Steinmeier and Merz. Source: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

10:06 AM – Bremen CDU Leader Attacks Merz Again

The Bremen CDU state chairman Heiko Strohmann criticized the recent personnel decisions of the CDU.