Klingbeil, Pistorius, Bas … German Social Democrats reveal ministers for Merz Cabinet

BERLIN — Germany's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) unveiled its full ministerial lineup on Monday.

With the announcement, the incoming Cabinet list is now complete. The SPD has opted for a mix of continuity and strategic regional picks to round out the grand coalition, in which it is the junior partner, between itself and Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc.

As previously announced, SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil will serve as finance minister and vice chancellor, anchoring the party’s influence in the heart of government. Klingbeil, a close ally of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz with broad party backing, is expected to steer budget policy in a coalition reorienting its fiscal priorities around defense and industrial policy.

Boris Pistorius will stay on as defense minister, securing continuity in one of the government's most sensitive posts. Pistorius, who consistently ranks among Germany's most popular politicians, has earned cross-party praise for his direct style and clear communication — and will now oversee the historic defense upgrade enabled by the new debt brake carve-out.

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas will move to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, reinforcing the party’s traditional claim to social welfare policy. Legal affairs will be handled by Stefanie Hubig, the current regional education minister in the southwestern state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Carsten Schneider, previously the federal government’s commissioner for eastern Germany, takes over the Ministry for the Environment and Climate Protection — a sign the SPD aims to counter opposition pressure from the Green party with an east-facing, pragmatic pick.

In development policy, Reem Alabali-Radovan — the federal commissioner for integration and antiracism — will take over the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Verena Hubertz, a former tech entrepreneur and deputy parliamentary leader for the SPD, will take over the Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction.

With the Cabinet now finalized, all eyes turn to the Bundestag, where Merz is expected to be formally elected chancellor on Tuesday. The swearing-in of ministers will follow shortly after, marking the official start of Germany’s new coalition government.