The CDU's internal crisis over Chancellor Merz's cabinet reshuffle dominated editorial decisions throughout July 29. Overnight, headlines focused on a US-Iran military escalation, but by morning the reshuffle fallout took over. Multiple outlets reported on the open rebellion from CDU politicians, with former Transport Minister Schnieder boycotting a cabinet meeting and delivering a parting shot at Merz. The day's pivotal moment came at 1:15 p.m. when Thorsten Frei was elected Union faction leader with 91.9%, a result widely interpreted as a rebuke to Merz's chaotic management. Coverage framed the vote as a mandate for Frei and a wound for the Chancellor. By evening, editors described Merz's authority as crumbling, with the party's mood described as worse than during the 1999 donations scandal. The CSD attack aftermath and BMW's 8,000 job cuts received secondary attention but never displaced the CDU power struggle as the lead story.