Boris Pistorius (SPD) will no longer be responsible for the internal security of his state, but for the defense of the entire republic.Image: IMAGO/Future Image / U.Stamm
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Few would have expected him to be named, not even himself until a few days ago. Boris Pistorius (SPD), the former interior minister of Lower Saxony, is the new defense minister of the Federal Republic. Again “mirror” reported, the Lower Saxony himself is said to have been asked only the evening before Christine Lambrecht resigned.
Until then, it was not clear who would inherit the minister – even though Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to information from “mirror“Knew about Lambrecht’s (both SPD) plans since the beginning of January. Many of the Social Democrats are happy that it has now become Pistorius. Some of the comrades find clear words for the character of the new man in the Bendlerblock.
Pistorius is seen as a go-getter and problem solver
The general secretary of the SPD, Kevin Kühnert, for example, told the news portal “t-online“that he assumes that Pistorius will armed forces lead with heart and hand. “In ten years as Minister of the Interior, he has made a name for himself as a courageous go-getter and problem-solver,” Kühnert continues.
The First Parliamentary Secretary of the SPD, Katja Mast, is obviously enthusiastic about the appointment. The social democrat writes on Twitter that Pistorius has been a guarantor of the safety of people in Lower Saxony for many years. And she goes one better: “His character and his dealings with people also make him the right choice.”
The Bundeswehr, Mast makes it clear, is facing major challenges – the soldiers deserve the greatest credit for their work. Just like the retired Minister Christine Lambrecht. “She has done a lot for our country,” Mast clarifies.
The European politician Katharina Barley goes one step further: “Boris Pistorius is one of our best,” she explains on Twitter. The Bundeswehr deserved it at its head. Norbert Walter-Borjans, the former chairman of the SPD, has similarly positive memories of Pistorius.
He doesn’t just see the freshly crowned Secretary of Defense as a go-getter. Instead, Walter-Borjans saw him as a fair opponent in the competition for party leadership. A person “who combines clarity in the matter with renunciation of any kind of forcefulness.” On Twitter, Walter-Borjans calls this character trait a “good, rather rare combination at the moment”.
Chancellor expects satisfied troops
The Chancellor is obviously pleased that Pistorius answered Scholz’s spontaneous request with “yes”. As the dpa news agency reports, Scholz assumes that the soldiers will like Pistorius.
Pistorius has a great deal of experience in security policy, emphasized Scholz. In his previous position, he had already worked very openly and closely with the Bundeswehr. In addition, Pistorius is someone “who also has the strength and calm that you need for such a big task in view of the current turning point”.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said goodbye to parity by filling the ministerial post.Image: Pool REUTERS / Fabrizio Bensch
The reservists’ association of the German Bundeswehr has already expressed its satisfaction with the new leadership. With Pistorius, explained the president of the association, Patrick Sensburg, there is a reservist at the head of the ministry who has had good and intensive contacts with the reserve in Lower Saxony for a long time.
The second day of the evacuation of Lützerath is underway. In cold, wet weather and strong winds, some climate activists are still holding out in the abandoned village, which is to be demolished for the expansion of the adjacent brown coal mine. The RWE energy company, which owns the village, has had the site fenced off. The last gaps in the one and a half kilometer fence are to be closed during Thursday.
