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Germany’s Merz will propose conservative Bilger as new transport minister

By Thomson Reuters Jul 26, 2026 | 1:12 PM

July 26 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will propose ​that conservative ‌parliamentary director Steffen Bilger replace Patrick Schnieder as transport minister ‌as ​part of ⁠an ongoing ⁠cabinet reshuffle, a government spokesperson said in a statement on ​Sunday.

Two people familiar with ⁠the matter ⁠said on Friday ​Merz was set ​to replace fellow conservative ‌Schnieder as he seeks to inject momentum into ⁠his unpopular coalition government. Schnieder said on Sunday ⁠he ‌would ask ⁠Merz to sack ​him ‌as the ​current “undignified situation” ⁠was making work impossible.

(Reporting by Kerstin Doerr and Christian KraemerEditing by Francois ​Murphy)