(de-news.net) – The CDU/CSU plans to restructure several ministries in a new government, according to an internal chat message of which the CDU has confirmed the content. A potential new government might have up to three fewer ministries by way of merging existing ones, despite creating a new digitalization ministry, as proposed in the Christian Democrats’ election program.

The Union parties envision a new ministry tasked with infrastructure combining responsibilities for construction, transport, and energy networks. The latter is currently managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which would also transfer climate protection and broaden to include labor market policy.

In coalition talks with the Social Democrats, the Union intends to offer a “superministry” for Social Affairs, incorporating the previously separate ministries for family and health . The previously discussed merger of the Foreign Office and Development Ministry is considered a bargaining chip for coalition partners. The Union’s election program also promises the establishment of a National Security Council with extensive coordination powers, which could be more acceptable to a partner with a strengthened Foreign Office.