Germany's Merz reshuffles cabinet after Spahn surrogacy resignation

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced a cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of conservative heavyweight Jens Spahn over a surrogacy controversy. The changes aim to revive his deeply unpopular government ahead of key regional elections where the far-right AfD is gaining ground Source: AP News.

Key appointments

• Carsten Linnemann, former CDU general secretary, becomes health minister, replacing Nina Warken Source: DW News.
• Nina Warken moves to the chancellery as Merz's chief of staff, the first woman to hold that role Source: AP News.
• Thorsten Frei, previously chief of staff, takes over Spahn's role as parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU bloc Source: DW News.

Further changes are expected, with Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder reportedly set to step down Source: Euronews. Merz said decisions would take "a few days yet, and perhaps more time" Source: AP News.

The reshuffle comes after Spahn resigned as parliamentary group leader when he revealed he had used a surrogate mother in the U.S., sparking accusations of hypocrisy since surrogacy is banned in Germany and the CDU supports the ban Source: DW News. Merz's government faces three difficult regional elections in September, with the AfD hoping to win control of a state for the first time .