德国总理弗里德里希·默茨周五进行了一次重要人事改组，以期提升政府支持率并应对即将到来的州选举挑战 [1]。上台不足15个月的默茨调整了政府最高层的多个职位 [1]。
根据这次改组，默茨将幕僚长托尔斯滕·弗赖任命为议会党团主席，卫生部长尼娜·瓦肯接任幕僚长职位 [1]。这次调整是在联盟党高层因私人丑闻辞职后进行的 [1]。延斯·施潘因使用美国代孕母亲生育婴儿而辞职，而代孕在德国不被允许，默茨所在党也反对允许代孕 [1]。
默茨将这次人事变动定位为政府改进的信号 [1]。他表示人事变动遵循"明确的路线"，并称"我们要一个充满活力和喜悦地工作的政府" [1]。
默茨面临来自极右翼政治势力的压力 [1]。9月将举行三场地区选举，其中9月6日的萨克森-安哈尔特州选举中，极右翼德国选择党寄希望获得多数席位，这将是该党首次控制州政府 [1]。极右翼党派主席艾丽斯·魏德尔批评默茨的举措造成"更多混乱"，并要求提前举行全国选举 [1]。但下次全国选举定于2029年初 [1]。
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reshuffled senior government positions on Friday, seeking to boost public confidence and address mounting pressure from rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party ahead of crucial regional elections. [1]
The personnel changes came after a senior coalition ally resigned over a personal scandal. Merz appointed his chief of staff Torsten Frei to the position of parliamentary group leader, while Health Minister Nina Wacker took over as chief of staff. [1]
Merz described the reorganization as reflecting a "clear line," stating that "we want a government that works with energy and joy." [1] The chancellor has held office for less than 15 months. [1]
The reshuffle underscores the government's effort to project competence and decisiveness. The decision to step up ranks follows the resignation of Jens Spahn, who quit after using an American surrogate mother to have a child—a practice prohibited in Germany and opposed by Merz's own party. [1]
The timing is significant ahead of three regional elections in September. Notably, in the Saxony-Anhalt election on September 6, the far-right Alternative for Germany party is seeking to achieve a majority, which would mark the first time the party controls a state government. [1]
Far-right party leader Alice Weidel criticized the reshuffle, accusing Merz of creating "more chaos" and calling for early national elections, though the next federal election is scheduled for early 2029. [1]