Christine Lambrecht has asked for her release – the debate about the successor is in full swing.Image: www.imago-images.de
Germany
01/16/2023, 11:58 am01/16/2023, 12:04 p.m
Now it’s official. As the dpa news agency has learned, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) has asked Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to be dismissed. In doing so, she is complying with the numerous demands for her resignation. And last but not least, the will of the population. In a civey surveywhich watson had commissioned, the majority of those questioned spoke out against Lambrecht.
But what’s next? After the defense minister’s dismissal, a successor is needed. So far, several names are circulating, but there is no certainty.
Who are the social democrats that are being speculated about?
Defense Commissioner Eva Högl
One of the potential successors is the military commissioner Eva Högl. Since 2020 she has been the representative for the armed forces. The troupe’s lawyer. At first she was accused of being a non-specialist. And yet it has blossomed in recent years.
Eva Högl is the Federal Government Commissioner for the Armed Forces.Image: dpa / Michael Kappeler
Since she was the first woman to take up the post in 20 years, she has been committed to modernizing the troops – and to swift action against right-wing extremist comrades within the army. Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Högl has also repeatedly called for a reduction in bureaucracy. Just like an even larger special fund.
So Högl is on the subject. She knows the troops and the problems that are there. What also speaks for her: She is a woman. The traffic light coalition started with a promise to fill the cabinet equally. That means: The ministerial posts should be distributed equally between men and women.
Defense politician Siemtje Möller
Another person who would get parity in the cabinet is Siemtje Möller. The Social Democrat has been Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense since 2021 and is therefore absolutely on the topic.
Siemtje Möller is currently Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.picture: Fionn Great
In the future, she could also contribute her expertise in a managerial position in the Ministry of Defence. Within her party, Möller belongs to the conservative wing of the Seeheimer Kreis. Of course, this could become a problem with the new appointment. Because not only parity in the cabinet is important, but also the fair distribution of posts within the group. Lambrecht belongs to the parliamentary left.
Party leader Lars Klingbeil
The situation is similar with Lars Klingbeil. He is also a Seeheimer, but was already traded as a possible candidate for the post in 2021. He has been a member of the Bundestag Defense Committee since 2009 and has been a deputy member since 2021.
Lars Klingbeil is the son of a professional soldier.Image: dpa / Sina Schuldt
The social democrat grew up with the Bundeswehr: His father is a professional soldier, his hometown of Münster is one of the largest bases of the troops. Nevertheless, Klingbeil himself refused military service. The attacks of September 11, 2001 changed his attitude towards the military, explained Klingbeil in 2021. He has been committed to the troops since 2009; for better conditions, for W-LAN in the barracks, for the special fund.
The SPD man would be a suitable candidate for the post. But he is also a man and would therefore shake parity. He is also the leader of the party. However, since mandate and chief post must be separated from one another, his appointment would lead to further restructuring in the SPD to lead.
Labor Minister Hubertus Heil
Another man who could be considered for the post is Hubertus Heil. He is currently Minister of Labor and Social Affairs – and does his job very conscientiously. Citizens’ income and pension reform, the big points, Heil has already addressed. Or at least they are on his note.
The name Hubertus Heil is also mentioned again and again in speculations about the successor.Image: dpa / Bernd von Jutrczenka
Critics repeatedly attest to Heil’s assertiveness and the ability to attract positive attention within the party with targeted suggestions. The social politician is not a born defense politician, but he is a professional politician through and through and could probably familiarize himself well.
What could also speak for the restructuring: By filling Heils, the top post in the Ministry of Labor would be vacant. That means a woman could move up here. This means that the Scholz cabinet would remain equally occupied.
Chancellery Minister Wolfgang Schmidt
Another candidate for the executive chair in the Bendler block is Wolfgang Schmidt. The incumbent Minister of the Chancellery. As the “Southgerman newspaper“reported, Schmidt could well imagine a role in public. In addition, he is said to have great expertise in the field of defense and armaments policy.
So far, the Chancellor’s Minister, Wolfgang Schmidt, has been relatively unknown.Image: dpa / Carsten Koall
In his current office, the social democrat is quite unknown. And yet he is considered one of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s closest confidants. This proximity could be an exclusion criterion. After all, the chancellor also needs a confidant in the chancellery – there would also be a problem with Schmidt with parity.
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