Lambrecht’s statement on Monday morning was short and sweet: she had asked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to be dismissed. “The months of media focus” on her person “hardly allow for factual reporting and discussion” on Bundeswehr issues,” it said. “I have therefore decided to make my office available.” She thanks everyone “who is committed to our security every day and wishes them all the best for the future”.
Lambrecht had long been considered a minister on the ejection seat, too much criticism and ridicule had poured out over her since she took office. The fact that she even came into the cabinet in December 2021 was a kind of emergency solution: when an election success for the SPD was still considered unlikely, Lambrecht, then Minister of Justice under Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), decided no longer to run for the German Bundestag.
Only after the tide had turned in favor of the SPD was Lambrecht activated. “For many, the nomination as Secretary of Defense will come as a surprise,” she said when she took office about a year ago.
Breakdown Cougar
It was their task to end the austerity years of the Merkel era and to reorganize the Bundeswehr with the 100 billion euros announced by Scholz from a special pot. But bankruptcies, bad luck and breakdowns dominated in the department.
A few weeks ago, it became public that the Puma infantry fighting vehicle had serious defects: all 18 tanks used failed during a shooting exercise by the Bundeswehr for participation in the VJTF NATO intervention force. The tracked vehicle, plagued by numerous technical problems, was only declared fit for combat in 2021.
Lambrecht then put the planned replacement purchase of the combat vehicle on hold and decided at the beginning of the year not to equip the soldiers of the Bundeswehr with the modern Puma, but with the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, which had been in use for decades for the NATO intervention force. The opposition fumed and demanded clarification.
Question mark behind F-35 deal
The purchase of 35 state-of-the-art US F-35 fighter jets for an amount of almost ten billion euros, which was pushed through in mid-December, also left many questions unanswered. Experts from the Ministry of Defense had previously warned of possible risks and cost increases. This concerned, for example, the necessary conversion of airfields for the F-35 and possible technical problems with the approval of the fighter jets for flight operations. The press speculated that the pace of the appointment was intended to enhance Lambrecht’s testimony.
son in the helicopter
Lambrecht made negative headlines on another level in April of the previous year. She took her 21-year-old son with her in the government helicopter to a visit to the troops in northern Germany, without him attending the military appointment. The next day and after an overnight stay in a hotel, the car and bodyguards drove to the nearby island of Sylt. Lambrecht’s son published photos of himself in the helicopter on Instagram – criticism followed immediately.
Lambrecht later admitted that she would no longer be doing the flight today. However, she did not see any illegal behavior. “The flight was in full compliance with all rules and regulations and I fully paid for my son’s expenses – today I would decide differently.”
Fireworks video hit
Lambrecht earned ridicule with the internationally ridiculed announcement of a delivery of 5,000 safety helmets to the Ukraine. The camel’s back should have brought her New Year’s video. “A war is raging in the middle of Europe,” said Lambrecht in front of the backdrop of the Berlin New Year’s fireworks. Lambrecht was overwhelmed with malice for this on social networks, even party friends saw the video as inappropriate.
The debate about Lambrecht’s successor had already picked up speed over the weekend. Several candidates were traded, including Labor Minister Hubertus Heil and Defense Commissioner Eva Högl (both SPD). The co-chairman of the SPD, Lars Klingbeil, was also named. No decision is expected on Monday. The AFP news agency learned this from circles in the German government.
Scholz stood behind Lambrecht to the end, a cabinet reshuffle is actually not in his interest. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser could run as SPD top candidate in the Hesse state elections in autumn. Then Scholz would have to replace a head again – equally. If a man now follows Lambrecht, there would probably be a larger exchange of rings.
Debate on tank deliveries
Lambrecht’s departure also comes at an inopportune time in the midst of the debate about tank deliveries to Ukraine. Great Britain recently announced that it would send tanks, and Poland has been urging Germany to take the same step for some time. Scholz does not want to be put under pressure, he criticized the constant “excited statements” on the subject.
Lambrecht’s resignation will probably not make the situation any easier. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is expected in Berlin on Thursday. Talks in Ramstein on further military aid to Ukraine are planned for Friday. There, answers will be expected from Germany as to whether Leopard 2 tanks will be supplied or whether other countries will be allowed to supply them.
