Friedrich Merz faces growing opposition over cabinet reshuffle and pension reform FAST-MOVING

Friedrich Merz cabinet reshuffle pension reform CDU dissent poll criticism

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has carried out a sweeping personnel overhaul, dismissing Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder and appointing Carsten Linnemann as health minister among other changes. The reshuffle has sparked discontent within his own CDU, especially among eastern state leaders Sven Schulze, Mario Voigt and Michael Kretschmer, who also oppose the government’s plan to abolish the free‑pension entitlement after 45 contribution years.

The dissent has led to public criticism, resignations from party officials and a protest letter from 100 000 Mercedes‑Benz workers demanding the pension and eight‑hour‑day rules be retained. Opinion polling (ZDF Polit‑Barometer) shows 57 % of respondents think Merz handled the personnel changes poorly, 70 % rate his overall performance as rather poor, while 55 % approve the new ministerial appointments. The AfD remains the strongest party in projected polls, widening its lead over the CDU/CSU. CSU leader Markus Söder has also used the turmoil to criticize Merz, adding further pressure ahead of upcoming state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern.

Entities: Alternative for Germany (AfD) · Carsten Linnemann · Christian Democratic Union (CDU) · Friedrich Merz · German federal election 2026 · Germany · Michael Kretschmer · Patrick Schnieder · Sven Schulze

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The same CDU leaders demand affordable care for low‑income retirees and reject higher cost‑sharing proposals.
[● 3 SOURCES] Friedrich Merz dismissed Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder.
[○ 1 SOURCE] CDU leaders Sven Schulze, Mario Voigt and Michael Kretschmer oppose abolishing the pension entitlement after 45 contribution years.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Only 17% of respondents think the personnel changes will improve government performance.
[○ 1 SOURCE] 55% of respondents approve of the cabinet personnel changes.
[○ 1 SOURCE] AfD is projected to be the strongest party in upcoming polls, surpassing the CDU/CSU.
[○ 1 SOURCE] 68% of respondents view the government's work as rather poor.
[○ 1 SOURCE] 70% of respondents rate Chancellor Merz as rather poor.
[● 2 SOURCES] AfD leads in the latest poll projections ahead of the CDU.
[● 2 SOURCES] CSU leader Markus Söder publicly criticised Merz’s cabinet reshuffle.
[● 2 SOURCES] Carsten Linnemann was appointed as health minister in the reshuffle.
[● 3 SOURCES] 70 % of respondents rated Chancellor Merz’s performance as rather poor.