The change of power in Germany

Analysis: The difference with Baerbock is gigantic

The difference between Germany's outgoing environmentalist Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her successor, the Christian Democrat Johann Wadephul, could hardly be greater. Ulrich Exner writes in an analysis in Die Welt.

The contrast with the Greens' feminist foreign policy is becoming noticeable. Wadephul's policy is becoming quieter, less polarizing, stubborn and patient, characterized by a "North German calm," says Exner.

"His political career has not been characterized by brilliance, but by parliamentary toil."

In Bild, political commentator Peter Tiede writes that the new Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger must deliver in his mission to clean up the fax machines in Authority Germany.

"Wildberger is the great Merz promise that digitalization in Germany can finally come true."

In Der Spiegel, columnist Ulrike Knöfel focuses on the new Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer. As a conservative opinion leader, he has spoken about migration, security and nuclear weapons – but culture? Knöfel is skeptical.

“Nobody expected this.”

“The quiet man” becomes Germany’s foreign minister

Germany’s next chancellor Friedrich Merz has now presented some of his future ministers.

The foreign minister will be 62-year-old Johann Wadephul. This is the first time in almost six decades that the CDU has been given the post of foreign minister, according to Tagesspiegel. He has played an important role for the CDU in opposition and is described as very knowledgeable, even if he is not always the most visible and heard. He has sometimes been called “The quiet man”.

As the new digital minister, Merz is picking Karsten Wildberger, CEO of the electronics chain Mediamarkt, who currently employs over 50,000 people. Katherina Reiche will be the minister of economics and energy.

The seven who were presented today are the CDU’s ministers. The sister party CSU will soon present its three choices and on Wednesday the social democratic SPD will present its seven names.

The ministers will only be sworn in after Merz has been formally elected Chancellor on May 6.