Defense Minister Pistorius is demanding 6.5 billion euros more for his budget, but Finance Minister Lindner is slowing down. And when it comes to compulsory military service, the most popular politician in surveys is also facing headwinds.
It is the big, all-encompassing sentences that stick historically. For example, from “Turnover Chancellor” Olaf Scholz when he said: “Without security, everything else is nothing.” Even if the money that is being spent on our security now and in the future is missing elsewhere, he emphasized how centrally important security is.
The Chancellor made this very far-reaching sentence at the Munich Security Conference in February. And at that time, Scholz also renewed his billion-dollar promise to permanently invest two percent of gross domestic product in defense.
Three months later it’s time for implementation. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is demanding 6.5 billion euros more for his defense budget next year, despite the existing 100 billion euro special fund. But Chancellor Scholz and Finance Minister Lindner allow survey favorite Pistorius to appear.
“I’m still up for this job”
Despite the tense security situation, there will not yet be any more money for the Bundeswehr. “There is a clear agreement between the Federal Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor and me that financial planning applies,” says Christian Lindner.
Defense Minister Pistorius is said to have been angry because of the blockade. After a meeting with parliamentarians, there was even public speculation that he might quit. But the minister contradicts: “I don’t know who the ominous source from this meeting is, but at no time did I give any indication that I would be able to quit my job,” he says.
Pistorius makes it clear: “I’m still up for this job.” And this despite the fact that yesterday’s conversation between the finance and defense ministers did not result in a budget breakthrough. Pistorius simply calls the exchange with Lindner “collegial, open and warm,” without being specific. The finance minister only speaks of a “strategy discussion”. It was not a budget discussion in the strict sense.
Support from within our own ranks
Boris Pistorius is demanding billions – so far without success. The SPD budget politician responsible for defense, Andreas Schwarz, believes the 6.5 billion euros more for the Bundeswehr is justified. If this sum were not forthcoming, there would only be a free investment margin of 500 million euros next year. “In view of the threat situation, that is very little and sends the wrong signal to the industry, to our allies and, above all, to the Kremlin,” he says. “Putin would be happy if we gave in here.”
Scholz’s dilemma: compulsory military service or Peace Chancellor?
A quick budget agreement is still not in sight, probably mainly because of the European elections on June 9th. The SPD is advertising a chancellor who will ensure peace. A debate about Bundeswehr finances and conscription doesn’t really fit into the election campaign.
When the Chancellor was asked this week about reintroducing compulsory military service, he initially played down the issue. It’s a “manageable” task that has to be mastered.
Pistorius wants a “Swedish model” for the Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr has been lacking personnel for years. In addition, it is to be increased from the current 182,000 to 203,000 soldiers by 2031. The Defense Minister also wants to close the gaps with conscripts and spoke to the Chancellor about this this week.
Pistorius prefers the “Swedish model”. A combination of conscript and professional army, in which only as many volunteers as the army needs are drafted. He wants to present a proposal in three to four weeks. More personnel are needed for the core troops and also for the ability to grow up in the event of an emergency.
Defense budget and compulsory military service – it will probably only become really concrete after the European elections.
Uli Hauck, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, May 17, 2024 9:31 a.m