German Chancellor Merz reshuffles cabinet following Spahn resignation

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reshuffled his cabinet following the resignation of CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn.

Under the proposed changes, Health Minister Nina Warken will become Chancellery chief, replacing Thorsten Frei, who was nominated to succeed Spahn as parliamentary leader. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann is set to take over the Health Ministry, while politician Philipp Amthor will serve as federal-state commissioner.

German media reported that Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is also expected to be replaced by financial politician Fritz Güntzler. However, Merz did not officially confirm any changes to the transport portfolio on Friday morning, leaving Schnieder's potential departure unannounced.

Sources: Der Standard, ORF, Tagesschau.