The Social Democratic Defense Minister of Germany, cristina lambrechtannounced his resignation on Monday after being weakened by a series of controversies and mistakes related to the war in Ukraine, at a time when Berlin is under pressure to increase its military support for Kiev.
Lambrecht, in fact, resigned after a series of blunders. For example, he had announced the shipment of 5,000 helmets Ukraine while the government of Volodimir Zelensky he asked for weapons
He has been scolded in recent months his lack of knowledge on military affairs and structures as well as is slow in the reform of the German army.
The Nazi past, a heavy legacy
Being Minister of Defense in a country which, due to its Nazi past, decades ago he promoted pacifismhas always been an impossible position to exercise in Germany; no one until now wanted to hear about it spend just one euro in the German army.
But with the war in Ukraine, the accusation became contradictory mirror of the ambiguity of German security policy.
a sea of contradictions
contradiction in decision rearm the German army but don’t even think about making it act, to help Ukraine but without trying too hard, to protect itself from Russia but without annoying it; Minister Christine Lambrecht was an outstanding symbol of this German conflict.
Lambrecht was ambivalent about his role as their compatriots have beenthey asked him at the same time restraint and boldness in handling a confrontation that ultimately is against the old ghost of Russia.
The resignation of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht will surely do that it will not bring Germany out of that contradictionhe will only hide it until the next defense minister arrives.
Minister’s mistakes
A few days ago the head of the German government, Olaf Scholz, showed her firm support, but the increase in reproaches against the minister has made her position waver.
Lambrecht drew criticism from Kiev by announcing the shipment of 5,000 helmets shortly before the invasion began, after Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky’s regime called for heavy weapons.
He also used an army helicopter to go on vacation with his son.
In early January, the video in which he congratulated the new year was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
In the video, the minister appeared in the center of Berlin, with her hair blowing in the wind, talking about the war in Ukraine amid explosions of firecrackers and fireworks during the celebrations.
“A war is raging in the middle of Europe,” the minister said in the recording, citing the “many, many encounters with interesting and formidable people” that allowed her to lead the conflict. “For all this, I thank you,” he insisted.
Lambrecht also embodies the shortcomings of the army, whose equipment is quite outdated and has problems modernizing it.
In mid-December, Germany canceled new orders for Puma tanks after a series of breakdowns.
With information from the RFI envoy from Berlin, Sergio Correa and the agencies
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.