Conservative bloc elects Thorsten Frei as new parliamentary group leader
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative bloc has elected Thorsten Frei, former head of Merz's Chancellery, as its new parliamentary group leader with 91.9% support. The change follows the resignation of Jens Spahn amid a surrogate controversy and is part of a broader cabinet reshuffle.
Lawmakers from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative bloc elected Thorsten Frei as their new parliamentary group leader on Wednesday. The vote, which saw members of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria interrupt their summer vacations, resulted in 91.9% support for Frei. He previously served as the head of Merz's Chancellery and is a popular figure within the conservative bloc.
Frei succeeds Jens Spahn, who stepped down amid a controversy over his use of a surrogate to have a child. Spahn's resignation prompted Merz to launch a broader cabinet reshuffle. Earlier on Wednesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed three new CDU ministers proposed by the chancellor. Former CDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann took office as health minister, replacing Nina Warken, who became the head of the Chancellery. Steffen Bilger was appointed transport minister, replacing Patrick Schnieder.
"Reshuffling governments is nothing unusual in the history of the Federal Republic. There have always been cabinet reshuffles during an ongoing legislative term," Steinmeier said ahead of the appointments in a speech supporting Merz. The new ministers have formally taken office but must still be sworn in by the Bundestag. Officials decided to postpone the oaths until September, when parliament holds its first session after the summer recess, to avoid recalling lawmakers from their summer breaks, fearing the added costs could spark public criticism ahead of crucial regional elections.
