NewKerala.com Logo

Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting Merz unveils Cabinet picks

IANS April 28, 2025 187 views

Friedrich Merz is poised to become Germany's next Chancellor with a carefully selected cabinet of experienced politicians. His team represents a blend of political expertise and business acumen, signaling potential shifts in Germany's economic and diplomatic strategies. The proposed cabinet includes key figures like Johann Wadephul for foreign affairs and Katherina Reiche for economic matters. Merz's selection reflects his commitment to strengthening Germany's international position and driving economic growth.

"We aim to revitalise the German economy with strategic leadership" - Friedrich Merz"
Berlin, April 28: Friedrich Merz, Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting, on Monday announced the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)'s nominees for key ministerial positions in the incoming coalition government.

Key Points

1

Merz set to become Chancellor with experienced cabinet nominees

2

Johann Wadephul tapped as new Foreign Minister

3

Katherina Reiche to lead economic affairs ministry

4

Patrick Schnieder confirmed as transport minister

Merz is expected to be elected Chancellor next week at the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

Johann Wadephul, currently deputy parliamentary group leader for the CDU/CSU, has been nominated to serve as the new Foreign Minister. Wadephul, 62, has been a member of the Bundestag since 2009 and is a supporter of European integration.

The ministry of economic affairs is set to be led by Katherina Reiche, a former Bundestag member and currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Westenergie, a subsidiary of German energy company E.ON.

Other key appointments include Patrick Schnieder as minister of transport, and Karsten Wildberger, CEO of Ceconomy AG and MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, who has been tapped to head a newly established ministry for digitalization and modernization, Xinhua news agency reported.

Born in 1955 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Merz studied law and served as a judge at the district court in Saarbrucken, capital of Saarland, from 1985 to 1986.

He served as a member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994, and a member of the German Bundestag from 1994 to 2009. He led the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from 2000 to 2002.

After leaving active political life in 2009, Merz announced his return in 2018 following then Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision not to seek re-election. He became Chairman of the CDU and leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.

Besides political life, Merz has worked for an international law firm, served as Chairman of the 'Atlantic Bridge' association, which is dedicated to German-American cooperation, and held positions in the business sector.

His close ties to the business community have earned him a reputation as a "pro-business" figure within the CDU. He has promised to revitalise the German economy, aiming for an average annual growth of over two per cent.

Merz advocates for a stronger stance on immigration. On foreign policy, he advocates for reducing Europe's reliance on the United States and rebuilding Germany's international standing.

Reader Comments

M
Michael S.
Interesting mix of experienced politicians and business leaders in this cabinet. Reiche at Economic Affairs makes sense given her energy sector background. Hope this team can deliver on Merz's economic promises! 🇩🇪
A
Anna K.
Not sure about having so many business executives in government positions. Feels like corporate interests might overshadow public needs. The digitalization ministry is a good idea though - Germany needs to catch up!
T
Thomas B.
Wadephul as Foreign Minister is a solid choice. His experience with European integration will be crucial in these turbulent times. Looking forward to seeing how this team handles the EU dynamics.
S
Sophie L.
Merz's background in both law and business gives him unique qualifications. But I'm concerned about his immigration stance - hope he finds a balanced approach that maintains Germany's humanitarian values.
J
Jens P.
The focus on digitalization is long overdue! Wildberger from MediaMarktSaturn seems like an unconventional but potentially inspired choice for that role. Fingers crossed he can bring some tech sector energy to government.
L
Lisa M.
While I respect Merz's experience, I'm worried about the lack of gender diversity in these top appointments. Only one woman in key positions? Germany can and should do better in 2024.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Disclaimer: Comments are the opinions of users and not of this website or it's staff. News stories are provided by news agencies. We do not guarantee their accuracy. Inappropriate content may be removed. By posting, you agree to our terms.

Tags:
Germany Politics Friedrich Merz CDU European Politics Cabinet Appointments German Election
You May Like!