As of: 01/18/2023 4:08 pm
The EU Parliament has increased pressure on Chancellor Scholz. A majority of parliamentarians asked Scholz to allow the delivery of “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine. The decision is considered extraordinary in several respects.
By Helga Schmidt, ARD studio Brussels, now Strasbourg
Several groups in the European Parliament have passed a motion asking the German government to allow the delivery of “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine. The initiative came from a German politician: Reinhard Bütikofer, specialist in foreign policy in the European Parliament and from 2002 to 2008 Federal President of the Greens. With the declaration, Bütikofer opposed the Chancellor – and managed to rally a clear majority of deputies in Strasbourg behind him.
WDR Logo Helga Schmidt ARD Studio Brussels
In the approved order, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is asked to allow the delivery of “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine. Scholz is also recommended for bringing together EU countries wishing to supply tanks in a consortium. The tanks must then be brought into the war zone “without delay”.
Initiative causes uproar
Politically, the resolution is not binding, and so far only two countries – Poland and Finland – have proposed equipping Ukraine with Western Leopard-type main battle tanks. However, the initiative caused a stir.
It is considered unusual for a head of government to be personally asked to do something on a parliamentary motion. Even experienced parliamentarians could not remember a comparable case. It is also unusual that the initiative came from a Greens politician – they are members of the governing coalition. It is remarkable, according to the ranks of conservatives: “We could not have formulated the candidacy better”, said a CDU deputy.
EU Parliament calls on Scholz to hand over Leopard
Helga Schmidt, ARD Brussels, now Strasbourg, 18.1.2023 16:59