Lambrecht’s resignation: double leadership failure | tagesschau.de

Defense Minister Lambrecht’s resignation also casts a shadow over Chancellor Scholz. He communicates poorly, has lost control of the debate and leaves many questions unanswered.

The resignation of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) shows a double leadership failure. Because both the Minister himself and the Federal Chancellor have to be accused of not recognizing the seriousness of the situation: Russia’s war against Ukraine is coming to a head, the 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr should be spent more sensibly and NATO Partner countries are waiting for clear announcements.

Few successes, many failures

Despite this serious situation, the minister has little to show: new fighter jets for Germany have been ordered in the USA and new combat helicopters for the Bundeswehr are on the way. But that’s pretty much all of their merits.

The list of shortcomings and omissions, on the other hand, is much longer. The best known examples of this: lack of ammunition and too few orders for new equipment overall. Also on the negative list: no real reform in procurement, no clear line on arming Ukraine and especially in the tank debate, poor communication, including the minister’s embarrassing New Year’s Eve video.

A turning point as an empty demand

There are also performances that reveal a lack of political instinct. And finally, two core questions remain unanswered: How does the Bundeswehr intend to recruit new personnel? And what should Germany’s security policy orientation look like in the future? With so many unanswered questions, the “turn of the era” remains just an empty demand.

Bundeswehr not equipped for NATO intervention force

The Bundeswehr is not even equipped for the rapid reaction force of NATO. The command has been with Germany since January 1st. Actually, 8,000 soldiers of the Bundeswehr should be ready with their own artillery and modern equipment. However, shortly before the turn of the year the Ministry had to admit that this is not guaranteed.

The German Ministry of Defense is also not in a good position when it comes to NATO partner countries. By the way, who is actually leading the preliminary talks for the meeting of the NATO countries this Friday in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate?

Scholz communicates poorly

And so to the role of the Federal Chancellor: His communication is poor. He only makes a dry statement late in the day – and looks as if he had been pressured into it. Apparently, Olaf Scholz (SPD) is unperturbed by appointments such as a brewery tour in southern Germany, while in Berlin a minister is resigning in a key department.

The press people of the federal government then seem unprepared and are even uncertain about where the minister is and who is in charge of official business.

Scholz leaves power vacuum open

Meanwhile, all the media are speculating about the successor – the chancellor would have been better off keeping control of that himself. But he didn’t nominate anyone. A chancellor who allows such a power vacuum and leaves so many questions unanswered is simply not leading well.

In short: this resignation puts an end to poor administration. This applies to both the Ministry and the Chancellery. The Bundeswehr needs weapons, personnel and political leadership. The next person at the head of the ministry must now set this in motion. The down-to-earth way in which this resignation took place does not match the seriousness of the situation.