Söder defends Merz over cabinet reshuffle delays

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder has defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stating that the Chancellor is not to blame for the ongoing difficulties in reshuffling the federal cabinet. Söder emphasized that unforeseen circumstances, such as a last-minute withdrawal of a candidate, can complicate even agreed-upon plans.

"If you agree with someone in the evening that they will come, and then at 4:00 AM you hear that it's not working out, that doesn't make it easier sometimes. So the responsibility certainly does not lie with the Chancellor," Söder said during the ZDF summer interview in Tutzing. He suggested that the colleague who withdrew should have considered the situation more carefully beforehand.

“

If you agree with someone in the evening that they will come, and then at 4:00 AM you hear that it's not working out, that doesn't make it easier sometimes. So the responsibility certainly does not lie with the Chancellor.

Söder was responding to the events surrounding the proposed appointment of a new transport minister. Merz had intended to dismiss his party colleague Patrick Schnieder from the position as part of the cabinet restructuring. Schnieder himself had informed some members of the Bundestag via SMS early Friday morning. However, the plan was thwarted when the designated successor, CDU finance expert Fritz Güntzler, withdrew his candidacy shortly before the announcement.

“

I found that it was appropriate for the situation and for a Chancellor. The Chancellor has to make decisions that are not easy. It's like a football coach who has to substitute players.

Despite the setback, Söder backed Merz's decision to undertake a broader cabinet reform following the resignation of the Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn (CDU). "I found that it was appropriate for the situation and for a Chancellor. The Chancellor has to make decisions that are not easy. It's like a football coach who has to substitute players," Söder commented. He noted that the transport ministry presents significant challenges due to the substantial billions that need to be invested. While acknowledging a slight delay due to the candidate's withdrawal, Söder expressed confidence that the overall solution would be effective.

Söder also praised the other known personnel changes: Nina Warken as the new head of the Chancellery, Carsten Linnemann as health minister, and Thorsten Frei as the new parliamentary group leader for the Union. He described these appointments as a "strengthening overall in the already difficult situation after Jens Spahn's resignation." He concluded that, on the whole, he considers the changes to be justifiable and not a significant setback.

“

Strengthening overall in the already difficult situation after Jens Spahn's resignation. So overall I consider this to be justifiable and also not a great damage.