Merz reshuffles cabinet, appoints new chief of staff and health minister

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced significant changes to his cabinet, appointing Nina Warken as his new chief of staff and Carsten Linnemann as the new Health Minister. Philipp Amthor will also assume responsibility for federal-state relations.

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For the first time in the history of our country, a woman will assume the position of chief of the Federal Chancellery.

These appointments mark the first step in adapting the government's team following the resignation of Jens Spahn as the conservative parliamentary leader. Spahn's departure stemmed from controversy surrounding his becoming a father through a surrogate mother, a practice not legally recognized in Germany. Merz made the announcement at an unexpected press conference in the Federal Chancellery, alongside Warken and Linnemann.

Merz highlighted Warken's appointment as historic, noting she will be the first woman to hold the position of chief of staff in the Federal Chancellery. He praised her as a "tenacious negotiator," citing her work on recent healthcare reforms. "Nina Warken has demonstrated in the last few months, as Health Minister in the Government, that she is capable of leading a ministry, of carrying out reforms even in the face of opposition and of addressing very diverse topics in all their complexity," Merz stated.

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Nina Warken has demonstrated in the last few months, as Health Minister in the Government, that she is capable of leading a ministry, of carrying out reforms even in the face of opposition and of addressing very diverse topics in all their complexity.

Regarding Linnemann, Merz emphasized that he is taking over a ministry representing "the fastest-growing sector" of the German economy. "Linnemann will assume responsibility and, with the reform of care and other structural reforms in health policy, truly important reform projects will now be launched during this legislative period," the Chancellor added. Merz also indicated that further changes within the Council of Ministers are expected, but these decisions require more time, particularly with the summer holidays approaching.

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Linnemann will assume responsibility and, with the reform of care and other structural reforms in health policy, truly important reform projects will now be launched during this legislative period.