German Cabinet Reshuffle: Linnemann to Health Ministry, Warken First Woman at Chancellery's Office

Herz — World Desk · 24 July 2026 at 13:47 · 30s summary · 3 min read

What we know

Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor—the head of the German government—reshuffled his cabinet (Kabinettsumbildung) on July 24, 2026. This represents a partial adjustment of government composition without dissolving or completely reconstituting the coalition. The announcement was made that same morning during a press conference in the garden of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, attended by the two newly appointed officials.

Jens Spahn's forced departure from his role as head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag—the coalition that coordinates legislative positions and ensures parliamentary support for the government—triggered a cascade of chain appointments, according to Die Zeit and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Carsten Linnemann has been appointed Federal Health Minister. An economist and CDU deputy in the Bundestag since 2009 representing the Paderborn constituency, he previously served as CDU General Secretary, handling the party's internal organization and political communications. He is widely described as a close Merz ally.

Nina Warken, previously Federal Health Minister, takes the lead of the Federal Chancellery's Office (Bundeskanzleramt), the body responsible for interministerial coordination and considered one of the positions closest to the Chancellor. She becomes the first woman to hold this post.

Thorsten Frei, who headed the Federal Chancellery's Office, succeeds Spahn as head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag.

Timeline

1. Before July 2026
   Jens Spahn heads the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Thorsten Frei leads the Federal Chancellery's Office. Nina Warken is Federal Health Minister. Carsten Linnemann is CDU General Secretary.
2. Night of July 23–24, 2026
   A first planned change to the Transport Ministry (Verkehrsministerium) falls through. News of this setback arrives as a text message overnight.
3. July 24, 2026, morning
   Jens Spahn is forced to step down from his position as head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Merz announces the new appointments at a press conference in the garden of the Federal Chancellery, with Warken and Linnemann present.