Merz 'deeply' regrets troubled transport ministry reshuffle

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed regret over the uncertainty surrounding the appointment of a new transport minister as he faces criticism over his handling of the reshuffle.

"I deeply regret the situation that has arisen," Merz said on Monday in Berlin. 

The transport ministry was among the posts affected by a wider Cabinet reshuffle in Merz’s conservative-led government following the resignation of parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn.

Spahn was forced to step down on July 18 over his decision to use a surrogate in the United States to father a child with his husband, despite a ban on the procedure in Germany.

The chancellor has faced criticism over his handling of the reshuffle, with Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder announcing his intention to resign on Sunday following days of speculation over his position. 

Schnieder is to be replaced by senior lawmaker Steffen Bilger from Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Decision delayed after initial successor declined

Merz was initially unable to name a successor for Schnieder and did not address the issue on Friday when announcing parts of his Cabinet reshuffle. His initial pick turned down his offer to take over the ministry, the chancellor confirmed.

On Monday, CDU lawmakers from Rhineland-Palatinate, Schnieder's home state, cancelled plans to hold a strategy meeting in September with the chancellor.

In a letter to Merz, the leader of the Rhineland-Palatinate CDU lawmakers in Berlin wrote: "In our view, direct discussions between the CDU parliamentary group in Rhineland-Palatinate and yourself require a basic level of mutual trust and respect, which unfortunately is not present under the current circumstances."

In Berlin, Merz responded that he assumes the "tensions will have eased somewhat by September and that I will, of course, meet with the Rhineland-Palatinate parliamentary group then." However, he added that he understood their frustration. 

The ministerial merry-go-round has come at an inopportune time for Merz's CDU, which is set for a drubbing at the hands of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in three important state elections in September.

Lawmaker Franziska Hoppermann was unveiled at the CDU's new general secretary on Monday.

She replaces Carsten Linnemann, who is due to take over the Health Ministry.

Merz's ally Thosten Frei is set to replace Spahn on Wednesday, with his position as head of the Chancellery to be filled by outgoing Health Minister Nina Warken.