After a much-discussed video on New Year’s Eve, criticism from the German opposition poured in. “Every hour that Lambrecht remains in office weakens the chancellor’s authority,” said CDU leader Merz.
The presidents of the two Union parties in Germany called for the replacement of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD). “How long does the chancellor want to see this? Every hour that Lambrecht remains in office weakens the chancellor’s authority,” CDU leader Friedrich Merz told the “Münchner Merkur” (Wednesday).
“But since the New Year’s Eve video at the latest, all of Germany is shaking their heads, not just our soldiers, defense experts around the world are speechless at how embarrassing and inexperienced a minister in our country may appear publicly.” Lambrecht was “completely overwhelmed” with the task, according to the CDU chief.
“Stays closer in the office than air conditioning glue on the street”
CSU President Markus Söder also demanded a swift change in the top of the Defense Ministry. “Ms Lambrecht adheres more firmly to her office than some climate glue on the street,” Söder told the newspaper. “The minister must finally resign – or he will be sacked. The chancellor has appointed Ms Lambrecht, he must now also resolve this staffing problem.” Söder complained that “the great hope of the turning point has become one of Germany’s greatest disappointments – also because of Christine Lambrecht. Our soldiers did not deserve this minister”.
Lambrecht once again drew major criticism with her video which was distributed on Instagram over the weekend. In it, she takes stock of the year 2022, but her words are repeatedly drowned out by the whistling of rockets and exploding fireworks. The year presented everyone with incredible challenges, says Lambrecht. And: “A war is going on in the middle of Europe. And that meant a lot of special impressions for me that I was able to get. Many, many meetings with interesting and great people.” The German government declined to comment on the video.
(APA/dpa)