Of the six names on her list, Merkel will Peter Altmaier in charge of the economy ministry and keep Ursula von der Leyen as defence minister.
She had pledged to put fresh faces in her Cabinet after reaching a coalition deal this month with the center-left Social Democrats. Her most prominent appointment was Jens Spahn, 37, as Health Minister. He has been a leading advocate of the Christian Democrats building a sharper conservative profile that contrasts with Merkel's centrist approach.
The CDU will gather on February 26 to approve a coalition agreement with Germany's Social Democrats. The results will be announced March 4.