BERLIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday announced a major reshuffle of his cabinet, highlighted by the appointment of Nina Warken as the new Chancellery head and Carsten Linnemann as the health minister.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during his summer press conference in Berlin, Germany on July 15, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Warken, who served as the federal minister of health, will take over as head of the Federal Chancellery and federal minister for special tasks, succeeding Thorsten Frei.

Following the resignation of Jens Spahn, Frei had been nominated to take over Spahn's post as leader of the parliamentary group of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc.

The health ministry will be handed over to Carsten Linnemann, who had been serving as the CDU general secretary.

In another key appointment, Philipp Amthor was named the new minister of state responsible for federal and state relations in the Chancellery.

Merz also indicated that the restructuring is not yet complete, with further cabinet changes expected to be announced.

Spahn's resignation amid controversy last week triggered the wider reshuffle in Merz's cabinet posts. Spahn, leader of the parliamentary group of Germany's ruling conservative CDU/CSU bloc, resigned on Saturday amid controversy over becoming a father through surrogacy abroad.