Germany’s Merz picks energy executive as economy minister

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, has appointed Katherina Reiche, head of Westenergie, as his economy minister, revealing his cabinet picks ahead of his May 6 inauguration. Alongside Reiche, Johann Wadephul will serve as foreign minister, and Thorsten Frei will be the head of the Chancellery. Merz is validating a coalition deal with the Social Democrats (SPD) at a party conference, with the SPD expected to announce its ministerial selections following a members’ vote on the agreement.