Armin Laschet Appointed Chair of Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee

In a significant turn of events, Armin Laschet, a prominent figure in the CDU, has been appointed as the chair of the influential Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag. Initially considered for the position of Foreign Minister in the newly formed government, Laschet's hopes were dashed during the recent ministerial appointments. However, this new role aims to reaffirm his standing within the party, as CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz expresses his long-standing support for Laschet.

This appointment also serves a dual purpose: to restore internal harmony within the party amidst recent tensions. Both Jens Spahn, the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction, and Merz recognized the importance of maintaining unity within their ranks. Laschet's prior candidacy for party leadership, which he lost but subsequently faced challenges in the Bundestag elections, influenced these developments.

Despite being linked to a recent controversial speeding incident in Aachen, where he was caught driving significantly over the limit, Laschet's new position allows him to avoid being sidelined as a mere backbencher in Parliament. He had been rumored for various roles during coalition negotiations, including the Bundestag presidency, yet these prospects did not materialize.

Moreover, Laschet's colleague Norbert Röttgen has also received a notable promotion within the CDU, becoming a vice-chair of the parliamentary faction, which comes with an increased salary. Röttgen had been mentioned as a potential Foreign Minister, further demonstrating the competitive landscape within the party.

Additionally, Ralph Brinkhaus, the former leader of the CDU/CSU faction, has been assigned to lead a working group focused on digitalization and state modernization, a role deemed necessary by both Merz and Spahn to oversee the new Minister for State Modernization, Karsten Wildberger, who recently joined the CDU after a career in management.