Germany’s Defense Minister, Christine Lambrecht has announced her resignation.
Christine Lambrecht disclosed in a written statement that she had submitted her resignation request to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, adding that “months of media focus on my person” had stood in the way of a factual debate about the military and Germany’s security policy.
“The valuable work of the soldiers and many motivated people in the defense area needs to be in the foreground.”
Christine Lambrecht
A spokesperson for Scholz, Christiane Hoffmann revealed that the Chancellor had accepted Lambrecht’s resignation.
“The chancellor respects the decision by Ms. Lambrecht and thanks her for her good work in these difficult and challenging times.”
Christiane Hoffmann
Hoffmann noted that a replacement would be announced “soon.”
The 57-year-old Lambrecht has been Defense Minister since Scholz became Chancellor in December 2021. Critics have long perceived her as out of her depth. However, Scholz stood by her, describing her last month as “a first-class Defense Minister.”
Lambrecht was Scholz’s Deputy when he was the Finance Minister before being appointed as Justice Minister in 2019. Also, Lambrecht was Minister for Families and Women in the closing months of then Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government.
Lambrecht was respected in those roles but was widely viewed as one of the Scholz government’s weakest links at the Defense Ministry.
The Defense Ministry’s importance increased with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That prompted Chancellor Olaf Scholz to announce a special 100 billion-euro ($108 billion) fund to upgrade the German military, the Bundeswehr, which has suffered for years from neglect and in particular from aging, poorly functioning equipment.
The Defense Minister, Christine Lambrecht, also drew criticism for ill-fated communication, starting with a January 2022 announcement that Germany would deliver 5,000 military helmets to Ukraine as “a very clear signal that we stand by your side.”
In April, she took her 21-year-old son along on a military helicopter flight, which became public when he posted a photo on Instagram that it turned out the minister had taken herself. Her ministry stated that she had applied for permission and paid the costs herself, but critics argued that it depicted poor judgment.
A substandard New Year’s video message on her own private Instagram account prompted new opposition calls for Lambrecht’s departure and strained political allies’ patience.
It showed a barely audible Lambrecht speaking against a backdrop of loud New Year’s Eve fireworks in a Berlin street.
“A war is raging in the middle of Europe and connected with that for me were a lot of special impressions that I was able to gain many, many meetings with interesting, great people.”
Christine Lambrecht
Resignation At A Very Crucial Moment
Lambrecht’s resignation comes at a very crucial moment, as Scholz faces mounting pressure to make another significant step forward in German military aid to Ukraine by agreeing to deliver Leopard 2 battle tanks.
Earlier this month, Germany agreed to provide 40 Marder armored personnel carriers and a Patriot air defense missile battery to Kyiv.
Warsaw has signalled its intention to supply the battle tanks, but requires permission from the country of manufacture.
Germany has given Ukraine substantial support in recent months, including howitzers, Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and the first of four IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems.
However, critics, some inside Germany’s governing coalition, have long complained of Scholz’s perceived hesitancy to step up aid. Lambrecht was overshadowed on the issue by the Chancellor, who made most major announcements.
Lambrecht was due to meet other Defense Ministers from Ukraine’s western allies at the American military base in Ramstein on Friday, January 20, 2023 to discuss further support for Ukraine.
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