Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU, has officially announced the members of his cabinet as he prepares for his election as Chancellor on May 6, 2025. The unveiling of the cabinet on April 28, 2025, comes as part of a coalition agreement with the SPD and CSU, marking a significant moment in German politics as the CDU regains the Foreign Ministry for the first time in nearly 60 years.
The cabinet will consist of 17 ministerial posts, with the CDU and SPD each holding seven positions and the CSU securing three. This distribution reflects the coalition's negotiations and the political landscape following the recent elections, where the CDU/CSU garnered 28.5% of the votes compared to the SPD's 16%.
Among the notable appointments is Katherina Reiche, who will serve as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, making her the first East German to hold this position. Reiche, 51, has a wealth of experience in energy management, previously leading the E.ON subsidiary Westenergie, which employs 11,000 people and reported a revenue of 7.1 billion euros. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move by Merz to bolster confidence in the government’s economic policies.
Johann Wadephul, 62, from Schleswig-Holstein, will take on the role of Foreign Minister. Wadephul is recognized as a significant figure in foreign policy within the CDU and has been active in discussions surrounding Europe’s role in the ongoing peace talks regarding Ukraine, having recently met with British Foreign Minister David Lammy.
The new Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth will be Karin Prien, 59, who has served as the Minister of Education in Schleswig-Holstein since 2017. Her extensive background in education policy positions her well to lead this expanded ministry.
Thorsten Frei, 51, will head the Kanzleramt, a role crucial for coordinating the government’s agenda. Frei, a close ally of Merz, has been a prominent figure in the CDU since 2013 and is expected to play a key role in implementing the coalition's policies.
Nina Warken, 45, has been appointed as the new Minister of Health, succeeding Karl Lauterbach from the SPD. Although Warken lacks extensive experience in health policy, her previous role as the parliamentary manager for the CDU/CSU faction suggests she will bring a fresh perspective to the ministry.
In a surprising turn, Karsten Wildberger, 55, the CEO of MediaMarkt/Saturn, will take the helm of the new Digital Ministry. His background in managing large-scale digital transformations in the retail sector is expected to enhance Germany's digital infrastructure.
Patrick Schnieder, 56, from Rhineland-Palatinate, will serve as the Minister of Transport. His experience as a member of the Bundestag since 2009 and his previous role in the transport committee position him well for this critical cabinet role, especially with the government’s focus on infrastructure investment.
Alexander Dobrindt, 54, is set to become the new Interior Minister, a position that will allow him to implement significant changes in migration policy, a key promise of the CDU in the recent elections. Dobrindt has previously held ministerial roles and is expected to navigate the complexities of this portfolio effectively.
Dorothee Bär, 47, will lead the newly formed Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space, which aims to consolidate Germany’s efforts in innovation and technological advancement. Bär has a history of serving in digital affairs and is expected to drive the government’s agenda in technology.
Alois Rainer, 60, will take over as the Federal Minister of Agriculture, bringing his experience from the Bundestag and a background in economic matters to this essential role.
Additionally, Wolfram Weimer, 60, a well-known publicist, will be appointed as the State Minister for Culture and Media. His role will involve overseeing cultural initiatives and media policies, an area where he has previously expressed considerable interest.
As the coalition takes shape, the SPD is expected to announce its cabinet members after a member vote on the coalition agreement concludes on May 5, 2025. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has indicated that the party will secure seven ministerial posts, which is noteworthy given their smaller share of the vote compared to the CDU.
Critics have pointed out that the SPD’s influence in the new government is significant, despite their lower electoral support. This arrangement has raised eyebrows, especially considering the SPD's historical performance and the challenges they face in the upcoming elections.
In the lead-up to the cabinet announcement, there was considerable speculation about various candidates for key positions, with names like Jens Spahn and Carsten Linnemann being floated before Linnemann withdrew from consideration, opting to continue his role as CDU General Secretary.
As Merz prepares for his election as Chancellor, the composition of his cabinet reflects a blend of experienced politicians and fresh faces, aiming to address the pressing issues facing Germany, including economic recovery, digital transformation, and social welfare.
With the coalition agreement set to be finalized soon, the eyes of the nation will be on the new government as it embarks on its agenda in the coming months. The success of this coalition will depend not only on the policies they implement but also on their ability to navigate the complexities of German politics in a rapidly changing world.
