The Merz government takes shape: an energy manager for the economy

He takes over from Robert Habeck, the leader of the Greens, who had to deal with the European energy crisis during his term in office and whom the Cdu and Csu strongly criticised for energy transition policies. Reiche will not have the responsibility for climate policies, which have been taken away from the Economy, but he fully adheres to the line of the Cdu, which has always supported the principle of technological neutrality in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

To another manager, Karsten Wildberger, Merz entrusts the new Ministry for Digitalisation instead. Since 2021, Wildberger has headed the e-commerce group Ceconomy. He was previously a member of the executive boards of E.on, Telstra and Vodafone.

Agi Interior goes Alexander Dobrindt, of the Christian Socialists of Bavaria. The appointment indicates a tougher stance on migration. This is the area in which the conservatives feel the most competition from Alternative für Deutschland, which after having come second in the elections on 23 February (with 20.8%), is now on a par with the Cdu in the polls at 24-26% and in some surveys even surpasses it as Germany's leading party.

In addition to the Interior, the Csu will also have Research and Agriculture.

The government team will be completed by the Spd ministers, who will be announced on 5 May. The co-leader of the party, Lars Klingbeil, is expected to go to Finance, while Germany's most popular politician, Boris Pistorius, is expected to remain at Defence. The other Social Democratic-led portfolios are Labour and Social Affairs, Development, Environment and Climate Protection, Construction and Justice and Consumer Protection.

On Monday, 28 April, the federal committee of the German Democratic Party (CDU) approved the 144-page coalition contract, which was signed on 9 April after 45 days of negotiations. The 150 delegates voted by a show of hands. The Csu had already given the go-ahead on 10 April.

Instead, the SPD chose the path of a referendum among its approximately 358,000 members and the vote will close on Tuesday 29 April at midnight. For the coalition agreement to be accepted, in addition to a majority of votes, the participation of at least 20% of the members was also needed, a quorum that has already been achieved.