Merz Announces Sweeping Cabinet Shake-Up After Spahn Resigns Over Surrogacy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday unveiled a broader-than-expected Cabinet and party leadership reshuffle after conservative parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn resigned following revelations that he and his partner had a child via surrogacy in the United States — a practice that is illegal in Germany.

Spahn stepped down on Saturday after media reports confirmed the surrogacy arrangement. The episode has intensified scrutiny of Merz's coalition and prompted a rapid re-evaluation of senior roles within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the federal government.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin to discuss personnel changes in the government and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). (is associated with: «Merz reshuffles leadership team after ally resigns in surrogacy row») Sebastian Gollnow/dpa

Key Personnel Moves

At a press conference in Berlin, Merz said former health minister Nina Warken will become head of the chancellery, replacing Thorsten Frei. Frei is to fill Spahn's vacant position as parliamentary group leader for the conservative bloc. Merz also named CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann as his proposed new health minister, while state secretary Philipp Amthor will move into the chancellery as the federal-state coordinator.

Merz signalled additional adjustments are expected. "There will be further changes," he said, adding that decisions would take "a few more days — and perhaps even more time — not least in light of the summer break." He stressed his intent to proceed "without rushing, with due care, and through the necessary discussions."

FILE PHOTO - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz L and Thorsten Frei, Head of the Chancellery and German Minister for Special Tasks, sit side by side before the Cabinet meeting. (is associated with: «Merz reshuffles leadership team after ally resigns in surrogacy row») Sebastian Gollnow/dpa

Political Context and Implications

German news agency dpa and other outlets reported that Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder is likely to step down, although Merz did not formally confirm this at the briefing. The reshuffle follows Merz's move to remove Spahn from his senior parliamentary role and his comment that Spahn's departure "could be an opportunity to reconsider the composition of the federal government."

The changes come as Merz's centrist coalition — an alliance of the conservative CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats — faces mounting pressure in nationwide opinion polls. The conservative bloc now trails the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in some surveys, and September brings two potentially competitive state votes in eastern Germany that could further reshape the political landscape.

This reshuffle signals Merz's intent to reassert control of his party and government team while navigating the political fallout from the surrogacy controversy and preparing for electoral challenges ahead.