Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced communicative chaos on Friday over the planned dismissal of Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder.
On Thursday afternoon Merz informed Schnieder that he would be dismissed. Schnieder then notified colleagues in the Union parliamentary group via SMS. A planned press conference on Friday morning did not take place.
Thorsten Frei defended Merz at an IHK event in Stuttgart. He spoke of bad luck in top-level politics. Former Chancellery chief Peter Altmaier expressed anger over the handling of Schnieder.
Fritz Güntzler declined the succession. Further personnel changes such as Nina Warken as the new Chancellery chief became known. Frei's election as parliamentary group leader is scheduled for next Wednesday.
