German Chancellor reshuffles his government team

Berlin, July 24 (KUNA) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday a cabinet reshuffle affecting several key positions in his government, following the resignation of Jens Spahn, the parliamentary group leader of his party, the Christian Union.

According to the German news network Deutsche Welle, under the reshuffle, Health Minister Nina Warken will take over the role of Chief of the Chancellery, succeeding Torsten Frei, who had been slated to become the parliamentary group leader of the Christian Union. The network added that Carsten Linnemann, secretary general of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will succeed Warken as Health Minister.

The changes did not affect the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, or Defense. Johann Wadephul will remain Foreign Minister, Boris Pistorius will stay on as Defense Minister, and Alexander Dobrindt will continue as Interior Minister.

The network quoted Merz as saying, “These changes may not be the last,” emphasizing that further adjustments within the government and the party leadership remain under consideration. The name of Linnemann’s successor as party secretary general has not yet been decided. (End) ENJ/AMS