Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier handed over the certificates of appointment to Carsten Linnemann (Health), Nina Warken (Chancellery) and Steffen Bilger (Transport) at his official residence. The three CDU politicians will take up their duties later today. The swearing-in before the Bundestag is scheduled for the first sitting week after the summer break, likely on 9 September.
The cabinet reshuffle follows the resignation of Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn. Friedrich Merz (CDU) also dismissed Minister Patrick Schnieder. Warken moves from the health ministry to the chancellery, replacing Thorsten Frei, who is to become the new CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader at the chancellor’s request. Former CDU secretary-general Linnemann takes over the health portfolio, while Bilger moves from the parliamentary group to the transport ministry.
The immediate oath is being waived because the Bundestag is in its summer recess and a special session would be costly. Some constitutional law experts criticise the move as incompatible with the Basic Law, which stipulates the oath “upon taking office.” Steinmeier commented diplomatically: “The Basic Law requires that new ministers take an oath before the German Bundestag upon taking office, which demands weight and attention above all because it gives solemn expression to the parliamentary accountability of the government.” He noted that the oath would be taken in the first sitting after the summer break.
In his speech, Steinmeier emphasised the pressure for reform and action on Germany: wars, geopolitical conflicts, new burdens in the EU and NATO, and economic stagnation are challenging the country. The personnel reshuffle also involves several state secretary posts and the CDU leadership: former treasurer Franziska Hoppermann becomes the new secretary-general. Still vacant are the posts of sports minister of state in the chancellery and parliamentary secretary of the parliamentary group.
Source: www.zeit.de
