Overview

• Wolfram Weimer, a journalist and publisher with no prior cultural-policy experience, has been appointed State Minister for Culture and Media in Friedrich Merz’s government.
• Weimer’s selection replaces Green politician Claudia Roth and is seen as a move toward a more traditionalist cultural agenda under the CDU-led coalition.
• Critics, including Jürgen Kaube of the FAZ and Green MP Sven Lehmann, have expressed concerns over Weimer’s suitability and potential for a ‘culture war’ approach.
• Weimer has resigned from his media business roles to avoid conflicts of interest, with his wife assuming leadership of the Weimer Media Group.
• Leaders of Germany’s memorial institutions have outlined expectations for increased funding and leadership, emphasizing the need to update and strengthen the country’s remembrance policies.