Status: 01/14/2023 10:42 a.m
The federal government is still talking about rumours. But there are many indications that Defense Minister Lambrecht is about to resign. The opposition describes the step as overdue and sharply criticizes the minister.
So far there have only been uncontradicted media reports – but the silence of the federal government and the coalition leaders is a clear indication: Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht is apparently about to resign. “I’m assuming she’s going,” said Union Group Vice Johann Wadephul dem NDR. This step is “also overdue”. The appointment of Lambrecht was a cardinal mistake by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “Christine Lambrecht never had the prerequisites for the office. She was unfamiliar with defense policy, not interested in security policy and never found her way into the office,” said Wadephul.
“Defense Minister Lambrecht has been a heavy burden on national security for many weeks and months,” said CDU General Secretary Mario Czaja Deutschlandfunk. “She never lived up to her responsibilities as Secretary of Defense.” When deciding on a successor, which probably lies with the SPD, it can be said: “It can only get better.”
The defense policy spokesman for the Union faction, Florian Hahn, assessed the likely resignation of the defense minister as a “positive prospect” for the Bundeswehr. “I would have the greatest respect for such a step,” said the CSU politician to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
AfD: Lambrecht disgraced Germany
Other opposition politicians also see Lambrecht’s resignation as a step that is overdue. AfD party leader Stephan Brandner explained that “Lambrecht’s series of scandals of personal missteps and technical incompetence” disgraced Germany internationally. If she now wanted to voluntarily take her hat, she would only “prevent her sacking”.
Kubicki: Replacement is a matter for the SPD
So far, there have been hardly any public reactions from the coalition factions to the possible change in the cabinet. Only the deputy head of the FDP, Wolfgang Kubicki, spoke up. A possible replacement of the defense ministry is the responsibility of the social democratic coalition partner, he told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “This time it would be good if this immensely important ministry was led by someone with the necessary background knowledge.”
Kubicki indirectly suggests a major cabinet reshuffle. He said he could not assess whether Chancellor Scholz was considering a major cabinet reshuffle. “However, he must also have taken note of the fact that many a social-democratic department does not present the very best image in public perception.”
The SPD defense politician Joe Weingarten contradicted the reports that Lambrecht was about to step down in one morning Deutschlandfunk-Do not interview. For the most part, Lambrecht had to address problems left behind by her predecessors. “But there are natural individual political mistakes, including mistakes in appearance – to deny that would be nonsensical,” said Weingarten.
Ministry does not want to comment on “rumours”.
Yesterday evening, various media reported that Lambrecht was about to step down. The initiative to give up the office came from the SPD politician herself, reports the “Bild”, citing several people familiar with the processes. The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reports that she wants to announce her resignation next week. The “Bild” report states that the reason for the planned resignation is Lambrecht’s realization that a fresh start is needed in the Defense Ministry.
From the Federal Ministry of Defense it was only said that these were rumors that would not be commented on. “But we also have information that Christine Lambrecht wants to resign,” said Uli Hauckradio correspondent in the ARD Capital Studio. “It was originally planned for the beginning of next week. Now the question is whether this unclear situation can be maintained over the weekend or whether the official resignation will come sooner.”
“I think that’s highly likely,” Stephan Stuchlik, ARD Berlin
Topics of the day 9:45 p.m., 13.1.2023
Recruitment of a difficult job
Should Lambrecht resign, Chancellor Olaf Scholz would lose a loyal minister, he said ARD correspondent Stephan Stuchlik. In addition, a successor would take on a difficult job: The Ministry of Defense is facing major tasks, especially in connection with the 100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr.
Lambrecht has been criticized for months, most recently because of a failed New Year’s Eve video. The opposition Union has repeatedly called for Lambrecht’s resignation. Critics accused her of the sluggish start of procurement for the Bundeswehr or a lack of expertise, but also her appearance in public. A photo of her son traveling in a Bundeswehr helicopter made negative headlines.