After a series of failures, Lambrecht resigns as Minister of Defense

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Various media reports have pointed to it since the weekend, now it is official: German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) is resigning, she announced on Monday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz accepted the SPD politician’s request for his resignation from office, a government spokeswoman said. He said he wanted to arrange the successor to the defense minister “soon”.

Out of “respect for the minister’s decision”, the decision on the successor “in all likelihood” will no longer be announced on Monday, according to the government spokeswoman. “Prompt is by no means three months,” she added. Lambrecht had written earlier on Monday morning that she had asked Scholz for release.

“Months of media attention”
“The media that has been focused on me for months hardly allows factual reporting and discussion about the soldiers, the Bundeswehr and security policy decisions in the interest of the citizens of Germany,” Lambrecht explains.

“The valuable work of the maids and men and the many motivated people in the business unit must be at the forefront. That is why I have decided to make my office available.” She thanks everyone “who works every day for our safety and sincerely wishes them all the best for the future.”

Accompanied by negative headlines
As early as Friday evening, various media reported unanimously that Lambrecht was about to resign her ministerial post. The 57-year-old had been criticized for months, as the opposition union had repeatedly called for her resignation. Critics accused her of the slow start of tenders for the Bundeswehr or a lack of expertise, as well as her public appearance.

A photo of her son traveling in a Bundeswehr helicopter made headlines. She recently caused irritation with a New Year’s message spread on Instagram, in which she spoke about the war in Ukraine accompanied by New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Explosive ministry needs new leadership
A central post in the traffic light cabinet of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz must now be filled. The Ministry of Defense has also come into the picture as a result of the Russian offensive war against Ukraine. In response, Germany launched a 100 billion euro program to better equip the Bundeswehr. The Ministry of Defense also plays an important role in supporting Ukraine.

Lambrecht took over the Ministry of Defense with the start of the German traffic light government at the end of 2021. She had previously been Minister of Justice in Angela Merkel’s last cabinet, and after Franziska Giffey stepped down, she also headed the Ministry of Family Affairs.

Lambrecht is the second minister to resign since the start of the traffic light government. Last year, Greens politician Anne Spiegel resigned as minister of family affairs – due to her role as environment minister for Rhineland-Palatinate during the flood disaster in the Ahr valley in July 2021.

Source: Krone

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