Currently, an assistant parliamentary group manager of the CDU, Spahn is not a specialist in foreign policy, but his solid American network, in particular his links with Les Républicains, is considered an asset. Spahn attended the National Republican Convention last year and was mentioned as a more unconventional option given Merz’s need to forge links with the Trump administration.
Defense ministry
Boris Pistorius
Pistorius constantly ranks as one of the most popular politicians in Germany and should largely maintain his current role as Minister of Defense.
SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz selected Pistorius to become his Minister of Defense almost a year after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in Russia. Pistorius was then considered an unusual choice, because he had no national leadership experience. But he has since gained the respect and admiration of politicians on both sides of the political spectrum at home and many of his NATO counterparts abroad. Pistorius, who has a relatively bellicist position on Ukraine and tried to modernize the German armed forces to make them “fit in war,” said that he wanted to keep the work.
Finance ministry
Lars Klingbeil
Klingbeil, currently co-leader of the SPD, is considered one of the most disciplined communicators of the party and a key figure to direct it through its post-Scholz transition. It is also considered to be the most likely choice for the powerful post of Minister of Finance. Klingbeil played a leading role for his party during coalition negotiations, and although he does not have the technocratic skills of other candidates for the post, his appointment would give the influence and control of the SPD on the Stock Exchange, just as the country should release hundreds of billions of euros in new expenses for defense and infrastructure.
Politices
