Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Monday named utility executive Katherina Reiche as his likely economy minister and ally Johann Wadephul as foreign minister, as part of a raft of first appointments.

Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting hands key ministries to CDU veterans and business figures, setting the tone for a more conservative, security-focused government.

Friedrich Merz, Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting, has appointed key figures to his cabinet, positioning Katherina Reiche as economy minister and Johann Wadephul as foreign minister. With a coalition formed with the SPD,