Lambrecht’s statement on Monday morning was short and sweet: she called for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). “The months of media focus” on her person “hardly allow for factual reporting and discussion” on Bundeswehr issues,” she stated. “I have therefore decided to make my office available.”
Lambrecht had long been considered a minister in the ejection seat, much criticism and ridicule has been heaped upon her since she took office. The fact that she arrived at the cabinet in December 2021 was a kind of emergency solution: when an electoral success of the SPD was still considered unlikely, Lambrecht, then Minister of Justice under Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), decided not to run for office anymore. the German Bundestag.
Only after the tide had turned in the SPD’s favor was Lambrecht activated. “For many, the appointment as secretary of defense will come as a surprise,” she said when she took office about a year ago.
breakdown cougar
It was his task to end the austerity years of the Merkel era and reorganize the Bundeswehr with the €100 billion announced by Scholz from a special pot. But bankruptcies, bad luck and collapses dominated the department.
A few weeks ago, it became public that the Puma infantry fighting vehicle had serious defects: all 18 tanks used failed during a Bundeswehr firing exercise for participation in NATO’s VJTF intervention force. The tracked vehicle, plagued by numerous technical problems, was only declared fit for combat in 2021.
Portal/Fabian Bimmer Puma turned laughing stock at Lambrecht’s expense
Lambrecht then suspended the planned replacement combat vehicle purchase and decided earlier in the year not to equip Bundeswehr soldiers with the modern Puma, but with the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, which was in use by NATO. intervention force for decades. The opposition got angry and demanded clarification.
Question mark behind the F-35 deal
The purchase of 35 state-of-the-art F-35 fighters from the USA for a value of almost ten billion euros, which was completed in mid-December, also left many questions unanswered. Specialists from the Ministry of Defense had already warned about possible risks and increased costs. This concerned, for example, the necessary conversion of airfields for the F-35 and possible technical problems with the homologation of the fighters for flight operations. The press speculated that the pace of the appointment was aimed at enhancing Lambrecht’s testimony.
son in the helicopter
Lambrecht made negative headlines on another level in April of the previous year. She took her 21-year-old son with her in the government helicopter to visit troops in northern Germany, without his showing up for the military engagement. The next day and after an overnight stay in a hotel, the car and the bodyguards went to the neighboring island of Sylt. Lambrecht’s son posted photos of himself in the helicopter on Instagram – criticism immediately followed.
Lambrecht later admitted that he would no longer fly today. However, she did not see any illegal behavior. “The flight was in full compliance with all rules and regulations and I paid my son’s expenses in full – today I would decide differently.”
Fireworks video success
Lambrecht gained ridicule with the internationally derided announcement of a delivery of 5,000 safety helmets to Ukraine. The camel’s back should have brought her New Year’s video. “A war is going on in the middle of Europe,” Lambrecht said in front of New Year’s Eve fireworks in Berlin. Lambrecht was overcome with malice by this on social media, even friends at the party deemed the video inappropriate.
The debate over Lambrecht’s successor had already gathered momentum over the weekend. Several candidates were negotiated, including Labor Minister Hubertus Heil and Defense Commissioner Eva Högl (both SPD). SPD co-chair Lars Klingbeil was also appointed.
Scholz supported Lambrecht to the end, a cabinet reshuffle is not in his best interest. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser could run as the SPD’s lead candidate in Hesse’s state elections in the fall. Then Scholz would have to replace a head again – equally. If a man now follows Lambrecht, there will likely be a greater exchange of rings.
Debate over tank deliveries
Lambrecht’s departure also comes at an inopportune time amid the debate over tank deliveries to Ukraine. Britain recently announced that it would send in tanks, and Poland has been urging Germany to take the same step for some time. Scholz does not want to be pressured, he criticized the constant “excited statements” on the subject.
Lambrecht’s resignation is unlikely to make the situation any easier. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected in Berlin on Thursday. Talks in Ramstein on more military aid to Ukraine are planned for Friday. There, answers will be expected from Germany on whether Leopard 2 tanks will be supplied or whether other countries will be able to supply them.