Union Races to Fill Leadership Vacancy as State Elections Loom
Published on 07/19/2026 at 23:31 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The conservative Union bloc is scrambling to resolve a sudden power vacuum at the top, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Bavarian leader Markus Söder expected to unveil a replacement plan within the next ten days. The shake-up was triggered by the resignation of longtime CDU figure Jens Spahn, who stepped down Sunday after revelations that he circumvented Germany's ban on surrogacy by using a clinic in the United States.
Merz told reporters in a summer interview that he had personally pushed for Spahn's departure, saying he was informed "very late" about the affair and had underestimated the resulting public backlash. The chancellor criticised his former ally's handling of the information, adding that a broader cabinet reshuffle could no longer be ruled out.
Deputy contenders line up
Spahn vacated the influential post of parliamentary group chair. Several names have emerged as potential successors. Frontrunner is Thorsten Frei, head of the chancellery. Other candidates under discussion within the CDU/CSU include Carsten Linnemann, Nina Warken, Alexander Dobrindt, and Michael Brand.
If Frei moves up, a separate replacement would be needed for the chancellery post. Günter Krings is mentioned as a possible candidate for that slot. For now, Hoffmann has taken over on an interim basis. Merz declined to commit to choosing a woman for the vacant leadership role.
Election clock ticking
The Union wants the process wrapped up before Merz leaves for his planned summer holiday at the end of July. The reason is political: three state elections are scheduled for September, and the party needs a stable lineup to campaign effectively.
Approval ratings for Merz currently stand at around 13 percent. In the same interview, the chancellor lamented a broader trend he sees as harmful to Germany's economic stability: low average working hours. "The number of hours worked in Germany is too low," he said, calling for a return to higher labour output. The remark surfaced amid a separate debate over part-time models that Merz has been vocal in criticising.
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