Overview

• Katherina Reiche, a CDU politician and former Westenergie AG CEO, has been officially appointed as Germany’s Federal Minister for Economy and Energy in Friedrich Merz’s new cabinet.
• Reiche is the first East German to lead the Economy Ministry, a move celebrated by some as a step toward greater regional representation in federal leadership.
• Her extensive background includes 17 years in the Bundestag, roles as Parliamentary State Secretary, and leadership in energy-focused organizations such as the National Hydrogen Council.
• LobbyControl has raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest related to her recent corporate roles, urging strict adherence to governance rules requiring relinquishment of such positions.
• The new cabinet faces the dual challenge of addressing Germany’s economic stagnation and advancing the energy transition, with Reiche’s expertise seen as pivotal to these efforts.