Overview

• Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's CDU, has officially announced his core government team, emphasizing a blend of corporate experience and party tradition.
• Katherina Reiche, a former Eon executive, has been appointed as economics minister, signaling a focus on economic competence and energy policy continuity.
• Merz's leadership choices are being closely scrutinized for their potential to either strengthen or destabilize internal party cohesion.
• The appointments reflect Merz's risk-focused approach, with some party insiders reportedly feeling sidelined by his selections.
• The invocation of Helmut Kohl's legacy underscores an effort to reassure long-standing CDU members and solidify the party's cultural roots.