Germany's Merz not ruling out reshuffle after forcing out key ally

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated on Sunday he could consider a cabinet reshuffle after key ally Jens Spahn resigned under pressure as head of his conservative alliance in parliament.

"It could be an opportunity to rethink the composition of the federal government," Merz told national public broadcaster ZDF. He stressed that he was speaking hypothetically.

Furore erupted over Spahn's decision to have a child via a surrogate mother in the United States, as surrogacy is banned in Germany. Both Merz and Spahn are members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which explicitly rejects surrogacy.

Spahn previously served as CDU health minister. He and his husband, Daniel Funke, announced on Wednesday that they had become parents through surrogacy.

Merz declined to comment when asked whether Thorsten Frei, head of the chancellery, could replace Spahn. 

He said a decision would be taken soon, although time was not pressing as the parliamentary group could still work if necessary during the summer recess, during his traditional summer interview with the ZDF.

Speculation over possible appointments is rife within the CDU and its Bavarian sister-party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). The two parties form a combined group in the Bundestag, which Spahn headed until stepping down.

Other names being mentioned as possible successors include CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU and Health Minister Nina Warken.

Merz: Announcement came out of the blue

Merz expressed criticism of Spahn's communication policy regarding the surrogacy.

"We scarcely had time to talk to him about it. He informed the party and the group only very, very late," Merz said. Given more time, the issue could have been discussed at length, the chancellor said.

The news had been announced in the mass-circulation Bild tabloid on Wednesday.

Asked about his initial reaction to the news, Merz said: "First of all, the wellbeing of the child. I wished the child all happiness." But he acknowledged he had not anticipated the resulting furore.

"But it probably had to do with his (Spahn's) personality, and with the communication - and there was rather a lot of outrage there," Merz said.