Merz Shakes Up German Cabinet Amid Far-Right Surge, Public Discontent
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has shaken up his top cabinet positions on Friday, hoping to breathe new life into his deeply unpopular government as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues its rapid rise across the country. The reshuffle, triggered by a high-profile resignation, aims to tackle widespread public dissatisfaction and prevent further gains by the anti-immigrant AfD ahead of crucial regional elections. The move comes as Merz's government, a coalition between his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) bloc and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), grapples with record low approval ratings, with some surveys showing Merz's personal popularity at just 11-16% – the lowest for a German Chancellor in recent history. Meanwhile, the AfD has surged in polls, with more than a third of German voters now saying they could support the party, making it the leading political force in some national and eastern German state surveys. This far-right advance is heavily fueled by public frustration over Germany's sluggish economic recovery and government policies on issues like migration. Key changes include Nina Warken moving from Health Minister to Head of the Chancellery, a crucial role in government coordination, making her the first woman to hold the position. Thorsten Frei, the previous Chancellery head, will now lead the powerful CDU/CSU parliamentary group after Jens Spahn resignation due to a surrogacy controversy. Carsten Linnemann, the CDU General Secretary, takes over as Health Minister. With vital regional elections approaching, particularly in Saxony-Anhalt where the AfD could potentially secure its first state governorship, this reshuffle is a desperate gamble by Merz to regain public trust and stem the far-right tide. The success of these new appointments in turning around the government's fortunes and countering the AfD momentum will be closely watched, shaping Germany's political landscape for years to come.