(de-news.net) – FederaL Chancellor Friedrich Merz has unveiled a broad CDU and Federal Government reshuffle, appointing Franziska Hoppermann as CDU secretary-general while filling key Cabinet and parliamentary posts following Carsten Linnemann’s move to the Health Ministry.
Chancellor and CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced a broad reshuffle of senior party and government positions, naming Bundestag member and current CDU treasurer Hoppermann to succeed Linnemann as the party’s next secretary-general. The appointment follows Linnemann’s planned move into the Federal Cabinet as Health Minister, creating the need for new leadership at the CDU headquarters. Hoppermann, who had emerged as the leading contender in recent days, was proposed by Merz during a meeting of the CDU’s executive leadership and subsequently elected, according to participants cited by German media. The personnel change forms part of a wider reorganization affecting both the governing party and the Federal Government.
The reshuffle came after Merz faced internal criticism over his handling of recent appointments, with particular attention focused on the effort to replace Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. Government Spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Merz had informed Schnieder of his intention to make a change before moving to nominate Steffen Bilger (CDU), the Parliamentary State Secretary of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, as the new Transport Minister. Schnieder had shortly beforehand requested his own dismissal, clearing the way for the transition. Bilger, 47, previously served on the Bundestag’s Transport Committee before becoming Parliamentary State Secretary in the Transport Ministry, giving him extensive experience in the policy field. Within the CDU/CSU, he had also earned recognition for overseeing the management of the Parliamentary Group during the first 15 months of the governing coalition and was widely regarded as well qualified for the ministerial post.
Former soccer star Kessler part of wider leadership reshuffle
Merz also announced a change in the Chancellery’s sports portfolio, appointing former German international soccer player Nadine Kessler as Minister of State for Sport and Civic Engagement. She is set to succeed Christiane Schenderlein (CDU), who is expected to move to the Federal Health Ministry as a Parliamentary State Secretary. Kessler has built an extensive executive career in international soccer since retiring from professional competition. After being named the 2014 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, she went on to hold senior leadership positions in the sport, most recently overseeing women’s soccer at UEFA, bringing both athletic and administrative experience to her new government role.
Further appointments extend the broader restructuring across several ministries. Gitta Connemann, previously the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, will move from the Economy Ministry to the Digital Ministry as Parliamentary State Secretary, replacing Philipp Amthor, who is transferring to the Chancellery as Minister of State. Connemann’s former responsibilities will be assumed by Johannes Steiniger, general secretary of the CDU in Rhineland-Palatinate and a member of the same regional party organization as outgoing Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. Taken together, the appointments underscore Merz’s effort to realign both the CDU leadership and key government positions, as the administration enters its next phase.
