Black-Red Coalition Powering Up: The New German Government Under Friedrich Merz
German authorities finalize their team, composition set at 18 for the upcoming competition - Government team successfully finalize decisions for 18-year-old age limit in Germany
Keep scrolling to dive into the details of the revamped German Cabinet
The German political landscape is buzzing with anticipation as the newly-formed black-red coalition is ready to embark on its journey, with just one minor obstacle left: the election of CDU leader Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor on Tuesday. The SPD put an end to the suspense by announcing their personnel for the government team, marking the final stride towards the power transition.
Lars Klingbeil, the SPD's party leader and Vice-Chancellor, heads a cabinets composed of 18 members (up from 17), incorporating an equal number of men and women. The age range is somewhat broader compared to the previous government, with an average of 53.1 years, boosted primarily by the eleven unionists, including Chancellor Merz, averaging 55.5 years. The SPD's shelf life in the old government of Olaf Scholz is represented by just one minister—Boris Pistorius, who remains responsible for defense.
The SP D's next lineup includes a fresh blend of both trusted confidants and skilled newcomers, in keeping with Klingbeil's promise to breathe new life into his party following the disappointment of the federal elections. The cabinet boasts bureaucrats like Reem Alabali-Radovan (35), minimizing theMinistry for Development, and start-up focus Verena Hubertz (37), helming the Ministry of Housing. Other notable contributions come from longtime Klingbeil supporters, including Carsten Schneider, who will be the Minister for the Environment, and Stefanie Hubig, who takes on the Ministry of Justice.
A Glimpse into the Top Talent:
| Position | Name | Ministry ||---------------|----------------------|----------|| Vice-Chancellor & Finance Minister | Lars Klingbeil | Finance || Minister for Development | Reem Alabali-Radovan | Development || Minister for Housing | Verena Hubertz | Housing |
This collective effort aims to tackle the nation's affairs with a fresh perspective and genuine collaboration, setting the stage for a "Germany without bureaucrats but enabled by enablers." Markus Söder, the CSU leader, called for "full steam ahead for Germany" and underlined the need for "a new Germany pace" in implementing the decisions from the Coalition Agreement.
The new government is set to take office on Tuesday, exactly half a year after the downfall of the traffic light coalition (SPD, Greens, and FDP) in 2021. Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz will bid farewell to his position with a grand military honors ceremony in front of the Defense Ministry, before addressing the Bundestag for one final time. Scholz remains determined to remain in his Potsdam constituency, relationship intact, until the end of the legislative period.
The Political Powers-That-Be:
| Title | Name | Position ||------------|--------------|-------------------------------|| Federal Chancellor | Friedrich Merz | CDU || Vice-Chancellor & Finance Minister | Lars Klingbeil | SPD || Party Leader | Olaf Scholz | SPD || Opposition Leader | Alice Weidel | Alternative for Germany (AfD) || Opposition Leader | Tino Chrupalla | Alternative for Germany (AfD) |
- The black-red coalition, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has been finalized with the SPD announcing their personnel for the German government.
- The new government team consists of 18 members, with an average age of 53.1 years, including new faces like Reem Alabali-Radovan and Verena Hubertz, as well as longtime supporters such as Carsten Schneider and Stefanie Hubig.
- The new German government aims to tackle the nation's affairs with a fresh perspective and genuine collaboration, as pointed out by CSU leader Markus Söder.
- Ahead of the new government taking office on Tuesday, Olaf Scholz will bid farewell to his position as Federal Chancellor, remaining in his Potsdam constituency until the end of the legislative period.
