Federal politics: Söder warns of failure of pension reform

The latest figures are higher than the figure for the first half of 2024, when, according to earlier information, around 9,500 people were deported. In recent years, the number of deportations has increased. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), a total of around 22,800 people were deported in 2025 - after more than 20,000 the year before, around 16,400 in 2023 and just under 13,000 in 2022.

CSU leader Markus Söder considers a return of Jens Spahn to a political leadership role to be possible. After the special session of the Union parliamentary group, Söder said Spahn's political path was not yet over. The former parliamentary group leader had resigned after he was sharply criticized by the Union for surrogacy in the USA. His resignation triggered a major personnel reshuffle in the government and CDU.

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not plan any further changes beyond the necessary replacements in the federal government and party. This is what the CDU leader said after a special session of the Union parliamentary group. The current lineup in the government is the right one to overcome the challenges of the next two and a half years together. From his point of view, there were no considerations to make further personnel changes.

Merz had used Jens Spahn's resignation as head of the Union parliamentary group for a cabinet reshuffle. The way in which Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder was dismissed has caused a lot of discontent in the CDU. Merz is still looking for a new Minister of State for Sport in the Chancellery. Who it will be is considered open.

After promoting Franziska Hoppermann to General Secretary, the CDU has to fill its previous Treasurer's position anew. After Steffen Bilger's move, who has become the new Transport Minister, the parliamentary group needs a new Parliamentary Managing Director.