CDU leader criticizes Merz over cabinet turmoil, brother's dismissal

Rhineland-Palatinate's Minister President Gordon Schnieder has sharply criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz's management of a recent cabinet reshuffle, stating that "every turmoil destroys trust." Schnieder, speaking to the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung," argued that the government's recent successes with reforms were overshadowed by a poorly executed reshuffling.

Schnieder revealed that he was personally informed by Merz about the dismissal of his brother, Patrick Schnieder, from his position as Federal Transport Minister. This occurred despite Merz's earlier assurances. The situation became more complicated when the designated successor, finance expert Fritz Güntzler, initially accepted the role but withdrew his commitment hours before the announcement. Merz then delayed communicating Patrick Schnieder's dismissal publicly, even after the plan had leaked. Ultimately, the minister requested his own dismissal to end the "undignified situation."

Gordon Schnieder expressed pride in his brother's reaction, noting that Patrick Schnieder prioritized the dignity of his office over personal interests. The Minister President also defended the Rhineland-Palatinate CDU parliamentary group's decision to cancel a scheduled meeting with the chancellor, stating, "Loyalty is not a one-way street." He stressed that the criticism was not solely due to his family connection but because a competent minister and popular politician was dismissed in a manner he deemed unjustified.

Steffen Bilger, a CDU politician from Baden-Württemberg, has since been appointed the new Federal Transport Minister. The incident has drawn significant criticism towards Merz's handling of the situation from within the CDU.