Embattled Merkel turns to right to bring critics in to top positions as authority wanes

The German Chancellor has promoted outspoken critic Jens Spahn to the cabinet as she battles to maintain her grip on power amid an agreement with the SPD to form a grand coalition.

Mr Spahn’s new role of health minister of the CDU has been regarded as a sign of the Chancellor’s weakness after she only won a reduced vote in September’s elections.

The health minister has repeatedly criticised Mrs Merkel’s centrist policies, particularly on immigration, and his appointment signals efforts by the CDU to win back voters who turned to the far-right Alternative for Germany.

And the appointment will also silence Mr Spahn’s criticisms of Mrs Merkel’s open door immigration policy.

In his new role Mr Spahn will have to abide by cabinet responsibility and will be unable to make any attacks on the Chancellor regarding immigration.

Mrs Merkel said: “It was my task to present a tableau of people that is future-orientated”.

Mr Spahn has made it clear he wants Mrs Merkel’s job, he has been the deputy finance minister since 2015 and was previously the CDU’s health expert.

He branded Mrs Merkel’s refugee policy, which saw one million migrants enter Germany in 2015, as “a disruption of our state”.

Mrs Merkel said: “Jens Spahn is not the only one to make critical comments.

“That is okay and nevertheless there is the task of making a good difference in Germany. I believe he wants to contribute to that, just like all other cabinet members.”

Mrs Merkel’s future as Chancellor is currently in the hands of the 460,000 members of the Social Democratic party (SPD) who have until the end of the week to vote in an internal referendum.

The referendum comes after Mrs Merkel managed to broker a grand coalition deal with the left-wing SPD after months of political uncertainty following the 2017 election in September.