Nina Warken Appointed as Federal Minister of Health

The newly designated Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced his proposed cabinet members, highlighting Nina Warken as the candidate for the Federal Ministry of Health. Warken, who has been serving as the Parliamentary Managing Director of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group since 2021 and the CDU Secretary General in Baden-Württemberg since 2023, is set to take over the role previously held by Karl Lauterbach from the SPD.

In a surprising twist during the cabinet selection process, it was revealed that Tino Sorge, the former health policy spokesperson for the Union faction in the Bundestag, will not assume the health ministry. Instead, Warken has emerged as the preferred candidate, marking a significant shift in expectations. Warken was actively involved in the coalition negotiations, contributing her insights in the working group focused on internal affairs, law, and migration.

These appointments are contingent on the approval of the coalition agreement, which is anticipated to receive a positive endorsement from CDU delegates during a small party congress in Berlin. Meanwhile, SPD members are expected to vote on the agreement shortly, with the CSU having already expressed its support.

In addition to Warken's appointment, Tino Sorge and fellow health politician Georg Kippels are set to become Parliamentary State Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of Health, as confirmed by the CDU.

Outgoing Minister Karl Lauterbach has publicly expressed his support for Warken, wishing her success in her new role. He assured that he would assist her during the transition period, indicating that several legislative initiatives are ready for implementation. Lauterbach remarked that Warken would inherit a series of prepared laws, including reforms related to emergency services and nursing care improvements, which are integral to the coalition agreement.

With the official cabinet swearing-in scheduled for May 6, the political landscape in Germany is poised for a transformation as Warken steps into her new position, bringing her experience and insights to the forefront of health policy.