“She is assertive, and she is also well-versed in security policy issues, which are, after all, coordinated here in this house,” Merz said about Warken. “She will therefore be one of the most important — if not the most important— pillars of support for me in the day-to-day work of the government, as well as my primary point of contact,” the chancellor told reporters on Friday.
Carsten Linnemann, the CDU’s secretary general, is set to replace Warken as health minister.
Philipp Amthor, state secretary in the digital ministry, is to move to the chancellery to coordinate relations between the federal and state levels. He is replacing Michael Meister — with more restructuring moves to follow.
“There will be further changes in the Federal Cabinet,” Merz announced. “But these decisions will take a few more days — and perhaps even longer — not least in light of the summer recess. However, I will make these decisions without time pressure, with due care, and after holding the necessary discussions,” he said.
One of the remaining positions expected to be affected is that of transport minister, currently held by the CDU’s Patrick Schnieder, according to German media reports.
“The personnel changes follow a clear guiding principle: We want a government that works with the greatest enthusiasm and joy on substantive issues, while also representing the diversity of our society and our political landscape,” Merz said. “We are a reform-oriented government, and we want to continue to demonstrate that.”