Merkel denies cabinet reshuffle report

Financial daily Handelsblatt had cited sources saying that Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière would take over Schäuble’s position, while Environment Minister for the southern state of Baden-Württemberg, Tanja Gönner, was being considered as a new federal minister.

The report followed repeated speculation about a possible resignation by Schäuble, who has suffered a series of health issues in the last year. The talk intensified this week after his press spokesman Michael Offer resigned following a public reprimand by Schäuble at a press conference last Thursday.

But at a joint press conference with her finance minister at the G20 summit in Seoul, South Korea, Merkel said that Handelsblatt’s report was wrong.

She and Schäuble have a “true understanding,” she said.

Before Merkel’s statements her government spokesperson Steffen Seibert had also weighed in on the matter.

“Chancellor Merkel has no reason to change the cabinet,” he said.

DPA/ka