Lambrecht resignation: Minister of Defense dismantled herself – it was a matter of time

Germany

She endured it for a long time, in her chair in the Bendlerblock. The Russian war in Ukraine has now lasted almost eleven months – and the criticism of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has lasted at least as long. First there was the helmet thing, then the private heli flight with her son, the New Year’s Eve video. Lambrecht dismantled itself in 2022.

The defense minister was repeatedly accused of incompetence. Incidentally, rumors are circulating that the former Minister of Justice, who is actually from the politics wanted to say goodbye was keen on a completely different office. Not on that Ministry of Defence, but on the Ministry of the Interior her party colleague Nancy Faeser. So now Lambrecht has pulled the ripcord. A question of time.

Defense Minister Lambrecht visiting the troops in Niger.Image: dpa / Kay Nietfeld

But it is also clear that the internal pressure must have been great. Too big for Lambrecht to hold on to her post. Too big for Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to continue to protect them. Certainly, also within the party. But the coalition partners in particular are likely to have made the difference in the end.

The population will probably approve of Lambrecht’s resignation

This transformation will presumably be well received by the general public. After all, in a recent civey survey commissioned by watson, 82 percent of those questioned stated that they considered Lambrecht to be no longer sustainable. Well, and with such survey values, the question arises at some point: How long can this go well? Apparently not anymore.

Ultimately, it is irrelevant in this context whether any criticism of Lambrecht is justified. Perhaps Germany didn’t supply as few weapons as was discussed in the general public? Is Lambrecht more interested in the squad than comes across in talks and appointments? came that new years eve video unexpectedly completely different than expected? Everything possible.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) could no longer hold on to Christine Lambrecht.Image: dpa / Carsten Koall

Lambrecht lost all trust

And yet it doesn’t matter, because trust in the minister is no longer there. She shot too many bucks in her tenure. As a result of the Ukraine war, the Ministry of Defense has suddenly become more important than it has been for a long time. And Lambrecht might not have been up to the pressure. At least not to the public. Because her colleagues from politics often did not leave her a good hair. Above all, the Union, which has repeatedly called for resignation. But also from the ranks of FDP Lambrecht was allowed to listen to a lot.

And the lost trust is the real point. Because the ministers are envoys of the electorate. If it is as clear as it is now that the citizens are dissatisfied in such absoluteness, then there is only the way back. It is good that Lambrecht, Scholz and the entire cabinet are now going.

What’s next? – Possible successors for Lambrecht

Sure, there will be people who are still demanding that this step comes much too late. Maybe he will. But the important thing is that he’s coming now. Because there is still war in Europe. We live in more uncertain times than we did a year ago. A functioning government – including members who people trust – is doubly important.

So now the second appointment in the Scholz cabinet. The second resignation. The second chance for a better replacement. Traded currently the military commissioner Eva Högl (SPD), but also party leader Lars Klingbeil (SPD), labor minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) and head of the chancellery Wolfgang Schmidt (SPD).

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is one of the party’s defense politicians.Image: Fionn Great

The new appointment to the Ministry of Defense should therefore trigger a greater Geruckel. Also because the coalition was actually committed to parity – i.e. the equal distribution of posts between men and women. Perhaps the coalition partners will just leave it at that, at least when the cabinet was first drafted.

It is now to be hoped that this restructuring will take place as quickly and smoothly as possible. The war isn’t over yet, nor are the other crises the republic has to deal with. A functioning cabinet must now have top priority.