Germany's Merz completes chaotic cabinet reshuffle
German Chancellor and CDU chairman Friedrich Merz addresses a press conference to announce changes in the German government and within the party, in Berlin on July 27, 2026. (AFP)
Chancellor Friedrich Merz on July 27 named a new transport minister, completing a chaotic cabinet reshuffle sparked by a senior party member resigning over a surrogacy scandal.
Steffen Bilger, 47, of Merz's conservative CDU party, will be formally appointed on July 29 to replace Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, Merz told a press conference after a meeting of the party leadership.
Merz's intention to sack Schnieder leaked last week but according to German media no formal announcement was made because Merz's original pick for his replacement pulled out at the last minute.
