Potential Ministerial Roles for Union and SPD: Who Will Join the New Cabinet?

Amid ongoing coalition negotiations, signs of a potential agreement are emerging, paving the way for a new government formation. The focus now shifts to the distribution of ministerial positions among the participating parties.

As discussions intensify, the 19th round of talks aims to finalize key compromises within the coalition agreement. A significant point of contention remains the allocation of ministerial roles and who will assume leadership of these vital departments.

Currently, the CDU is set to appoint both the Chancellor and the Chief of the Chancellery. In total, there are 15 ministerial positions to be filled, with the distribution expected to follow a 6-6-3 model: six ministers each from the CDU and SPD, and three from the CSU. The coalition agreement will dictate the allocation of these roles, while the individual parties will select their respective candidates.

As the political landscape shifts post-election, potential cabinet members are being proposed. Within the CDU, familiar faces are expected to take prominent roles, although many candidates may not be widely recognized by the public. It is anticipated that Carsten Linnemann, the party's General Secretary, will secure a position in either the Ministry of Economic Affairs or the Ministry of Labor. Additionally, Thorsten Frei, the Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, is also seen as a candidate for a significant role, potentially leading the parliamentary group or heading the Chancellery.

Other potential candidates include Karin Prien, the Minister of Education from Schleswig-Holstein, and Silvia Breher, the deputy head of the CDU. Notably, CDU women have voiced their desire for increased representation, with Julia Klöckner being considered for the position of President of the Bundestag.

On the male front, former chancellor candidate Armin Laschet is rumored to be a contender for the role of Foreign Minister. Jens Spahn, another prominent figure, is also in the mix, though reports suggest he may take on the role of General Secretary.

Within the SPD, there are key figures vying for ministerial positions, with Lars Klingbeil, the party leader, likely to have the first choice. He may aim for a prominent role such as Foreign Minister or Minister of Finance, possibly accompanied by the title of Vice Chancellor. Boris Pistorius, expressing his desire to remain as Minister of Defense, has indicated that he wishes to continue in his current role, a sentiment that could align with Klingbeil's decisions.

While Klingbeil's choices may dictate the future of several SPD candidates, Hubertus Heil's prospects appear dim, alongside Nancy Faeser, who currently oversees the Ministry of the Interior, and Karl Lauterbach, responsible for Health. Should the Ministry for Development Assistance remain intact, Svenja Schulze has expressed interest in continuing her work in that capacity. Other SPD figures, including party leader Saskia Esken and former Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, are also being considered.

In the CSU, the objective is to secure a larger share of ministerial roles, typically aiming for one major and two minor positions. However, the party has yet to finalize its candidates. Alexander Dobrindt is a potential choice for the Interior Ministry, where he could advocate for a more stringent immigration policy. Dorothee Bär, the party's deputy leader, might take on one of the smaller ministries, such as Family or Digital Affairs.

While there are whispers of party leader Markus Söder potentially moving to Berlin, it seems more likely that younger, well-regarded representatives will be nominated. Candidates such as Emmi Zeulner, a nursing professional from Franken, Florian Hahn, a defense expert from Munich, and Daniela Ludwig, who may oversee Transport or Health, are among those being considered. The CSU intends to avoid appointing representatives from outside the region, focusing instead on local talent.