Key facts
- Jens Spahn resigned as CDU parliamentary leader due to a surrogacy controversy.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz is considering a cabinet reshuffle.
- Spahn was seen as an internal rival and unpopular with coalition partners.
- Merz seeks to stabilize his coalition and improve his low approval ratings.
- The move comes ahead of crucial regional elections in the fall.
- A new CDU parliamentary group leader is expected to be elected soon.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly leveraging the resignation of Jens Spahn, the Christian Democratic Union's (CDU) parliamentary leader, into a political opportunity. Spahn stepped down after admitting he and his husband used a surrogate mother in the U.S., a practice banned in Germany.
The departure of Spahn, who was both an internal party rival and unpopular with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) coalition partners, allows Merz to consider a cabinet reshuffle. This move could help stabilize the coalition and provide a political reset before critical regional elections in the fall, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to perform strongly.
Merz's spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, confirmed that the process of weighing the next steps is underway. A CDU leadership meeting is scheduled for Monday, with lawmakers preparing to elect a new parliamentary group leader soon. A broader cabinet reshuffle would require a full Bundestag session.
This potential reshuffle comes at a time when Merz's government and his personal approval ratings are at historic lows, with only 13 percent of Germans satisfied with his performance. Merz aims to use upcoming reforms, such as those to the pension system, to boost his ratings and present the political center as the only viable option for governance.
Merz is expected to appoint a close ally to the parliamentary group leader position, someone who can work effectively with the SPD. Potential candidates include Thorsten Frei, Carsten Linnemann, and Alexander Dobrindt. If a wider reshuffle occurs, a female minister, such as Health Minister Nina Warken, may be included to balance the current male-dominated leadership team.
Spahn had previously run against Merz for CDU leadership and later supported Armin Laschet. Merz appointed Spahn as parliamentary leader last year, a move seen as an attempt to manage a potential rival. However, Spahn's unpopularity with the SPD's left-wing, whose votes Merz needs for reforms, made him a challenging partner.