World
Hoppermann Appointed CDU Secretary General as Merz Reshuffles Party Leadership
On July 27, 2026, Friedrich Merz proposed Franziska Hoppermann as secretary general of the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) at a party presidium meeting, according to DPA. Hoppermann succeeds Carsten Linnemann, who is stepping down to lead the Federal Ministry of Health in a broader reshuffle. The reshuffle was triggered by Jens Spahn's resignation from leadership of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Hoppermann, the CDU's federal treasurer since 2025 and member of parliament for Hamburg-Wandsbek, will be the third woman to hold this position after Angela Merkel and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. The CDU faces poor polling before regional elections on September 6, 2026.