German leader Merz reshuffles top posts as he tries to counter far-right advance

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reshuffled top government posts to address his government's unpopularity and counter the rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Key changes include appointing Thorsten Frei as Union parliamentary group leader, Nina Warken as chancellery chief of staff, and Carsten Linnemann as health minister, amid regional elections where AfD could win its first state governorship.