Philipp Fernis becomes the new Minister of Justice: Challenges for the FDP!

Philipp Fernis becomes the new Minister of Justice: Challenges for the FDP!

Rhineland-Palatinate is faced with a change of leadership in the Ministry of Justice: Philipp Fernis, 42 years old and a member of the FDP, is appointed the new Minister of Justice. The official announcement took place during a press conference in Mainz on Monday evening. Fernis succeeds Herbert Mertin, who died on February 21, 2025 at the age of 66. Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) is expected to present the certificate of appointment on April 2, followed by a swearing in in the state parliament that will take place after a minute of commemoration for Mertin.

Fernis, who comes from Langenlonsheim near Bad Kreuznach, has many years of experience in the judicial sector. From 2016 to 2021 he was State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice under Mertin, which developed a close professional relationship between the two. He also had legal expertise, which he previously acquired from the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. Fernis is known as an excellent speaker, which could benefit him in his new role.

challenges and intra -party dynamics

The need for a new appointment of the Ministry of Justice resulted from Mertin's unexpected death, which brought the FDP into a difficult Situation. The finding process for the successor lasted over five weeks and was characterized by internal party power struggles. Fernis played a role in this when he was in a group that tried to prevent Daniela Schmitt as the new FDP leader. Schmitt will probably be the only candidate for the party chairmanship next week, which further heats up the political turbulence within the Rhineland-Palatinate FDP.

Schmitt is currently criticized, in particular because of allegations about the alleged participation of her husband in delegation trips and the allocation of funding. These allegations are rejected by Schmitt and the influence on decisions in favor of her husband is denied. These internal party tensions could be an additional challenge for Fernis, since he should continue the work of its predecessor and the judiciary in Rhineland-Palatinate must lead until the end of the legislative period.

memory of Herbert Mertin

The loss of Herbert Mertin continues to beat high waves in state politics. A state funeral service took place on March 14th in Koblenz, in which more than 300 people from politics, judiciary and the personal environment of Mertin took part. Prime Minister Schweitzer recognized Mertin in an emotional speech as a passionate democrat and reliable friend.