Friedrich Merz faces government crisis amid low approval and cabinet reshuffle

Friedrich Merz cabinet reshuffle low approval SPD internal tension transport minister

Federal President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier has appointed new ministers as Chancellor Friedrich Merz confronts a deep legitimacy crisis. Merz’s approval rating stands at 18 % with 78 % of respondents dissatisfied – the lowest level for a German chancellor since polling began in 1998. A recent poll for a hypothetical Sunday election puts the CDU/CSU at 21 %, the SPD at 12 % and the far‑right AfD leading with 27 %.

In response, Merz has reshuffled his cabinet: health minister Nina Warken was replaced by Carsten Linnemann, transport minister Patrick Schnieder was succeeded by Steffen Bilger, and Thorsten Frei took over as parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU after Jens Spahn resigned over a surrogacy scandal. Merz also inaugurated the Adenauer School of Government on 13 July.

The turmoil fuels criticism within the governing coalition. CDU state branches and party officials have publicly attacked Merz, while SPD leaders Bärbel Bas and Lars Klingbeil face internal pressure over holding dual party‑government roles.

Entities

Bärbel Bas · Carsten Linnemann · Frank‑Walter Steinmeier · Friedrich Merz · Nina Warken · Steffen Bilger · Thorsten Frei

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] In a hypothetical Sunday election, the CDU/CSU would receive 21 % of the vote, the SPD 12 %, and the AfD leads with 27 %. www.europesays.com
[● 2 SOURCES] President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier handed out appointment and dismissal certificates for the new ministers. www.europesays.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Steinmeier criticized that the newly appointed ministers will be sworn in only in early September, after the Bundestag reconvenes.
[● 3 SOURCES] Thorsten Frei replaced Jens Spahn as parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU. www.europesays.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The 18 % approval rating is the lowest for a German chancellor since polling began in 1998. www.europesays.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Friedrich Merz’s approval rating is 18 % with 78 % dissatisfied. www.europesays.com · www.globale-gleichheit.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] In a hypothetical Sunday election, the ruling coalition would receive about 21 % of the vote, while the AfD would lead with 27 %. www.europesays.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Jens Spahn resigned after having a child via a surrogate mother in the United States, a practice prohibited in Germany. www.europesays.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Carsten Linnemann became health minister, replacing Nina Warken who moved to the Chancellor’s Office.
[○ 1 SOURCE] SPD poll rating fell to 12 % in the latest survey.
[● 3 SOURCES] Steffen Bilger was appointed transport minister, succeeding Patrick Schnieder. taz.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Friedrich Merz inaugurated the Adenauer School of Government on 13 July. www.globale-gleichheit.de · www.europesays.com · vesti-online.com