The first German President, Theodor Heuss (FDP), once described conscription as a "legitimate child of democracy". And this child is now sorely missed by quite a few federal politicians. Conscription has been suspended since 2011, and the Bundeswehr is a professional army. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the most important voice in Berlin, has now described this step as "a mistake".In politics and the military there is still considerable phantom pain because of the suspended conscription; There is always concern that...
FDP leader Christian Lindner has rejected any discussion about a return to conscription. "For the FDP, conscription is not at all up for debate. This is a ghost discussion. All power must be concentrated on strengthening the Bundeswehr as a highly professional army," said Lindner of the German Press Agency. The young generation also “lost so much through the pandemic that there should be no speculation about a new compulsory service”. Lindner also referred to the shortage of skilled workers...
"No", Ukraine won't get American fighter jets: US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine's demands a dry, narrow "No" on Monday F-16- Fighter jets given a refusal. Now not only the Ukrainians but also the Europeans are wondering how Biden meant that.Biden's "no" seemed like a casual response to a reporter's question. But does that mean that the US President is only saying no at this point? Or definitely? Or would the no only apply to fighter jets that would be...
The suspension of conscription was a mistake, says Defense Minister Pistorius. is she coming back FDP politician Strack-Zimmermann calls for an honest debate - also about women in the service. from George Ismar, BerlinThe chancellor said so, as did his defense minister. But what follows from this? Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in the Bundestag last week that this government must correct the mistakes made by the Union's defense ministers. "This not only includes halving the Bundeswehr and abolishing conscription, it...
from Daniel Brössler and Mike Szymanski, BerlinThe deployment of the Bundeswehr in West African Mali may end even earlier than planned. "Staying in Mali until May 2024 makes no sense at all under the current conditions," said Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD). Süddeutsche Zeitung. In November, the federal government had decided to withdraw the Bundeswehr on this date due to significant differences with the country's military government. The "orderly withdrawal" should therefore begin this summer. Pistorius' predecessor Christine Lambrecht...
How long Boris Pistorius hesitated when Chancellor Scholz called, where he sees a limit to military aid for Ukraine and why he thinks the abolition of conscription was a mistake.Interviewed by Georg Ismar, Nicolas Richter and Mike SzymanskiThe new defense minister hardly gets any sleep. Four, five hours, more is not possible right now. This is how Boris Pistorius tells it, who has just returned to the ministry from his first visit to the Panzergrenadiers. The big question is: Will...
Berlin Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to deliver Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. According to information from the Handelsblatt, the decision was made on Tuesday. As the “Spiegel” first reported, at least one company should initially be equipped with the Leopard 2A6 version from Bundeswehr stocks.Accordingly, it is about 14 vehicles. The new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in the morning that he expected Germany to make a quick decision to deliver Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine....
When Chancellor Scholz refuses to go it alone without "the allies" when it comes to arms deliveries, he hardly means Paris or Warsaw, but really only the United States. So he maneuvered himself into the corner.comment by Paul Anton KruegerSPD chairman Lars Klingbeil presented ideas on the realignment of his party's foreign policy in Berlin on Monday. He spoke of the fact that Germany, because of its size, has a special responsibility to assume a leadership role for a strong...
Minister plans trip to Ukraine Pistorius: Bundeswehr should become the strongest army in the EU 01/22/2023, 00:01 A few days after taking office, Boris Pistorius announced ambitious plans for the future of the Bundeswehr. In order to achieve this, there are three central tasks. The new defense minister also plans to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks. The new Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced that he will travel to Ukraine as soon as possible. "What is certain is...
Homepoliticsdefense policyBerlin:My first day at workJan 19, 2023 6:36 p.mReading time: 9 minsOpen detailed viewSo far, the only armed force under his command has been the Lower Saxony police force. Now Boris Pistorius is in control of an entire army. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Swearing-in, formation of honor, and then immediately world politics: The new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius only has a few hours, and it's already about tanks and the Ukraine war. What is expected of him now? Definitely more...
