400 recruits assembled for public vows in front of the Reichstag in Berlin. Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said in a speech that the Bundeswehr merits "the recognition of our entire country" and "the best possible framework that we can offer you in politics". For this she will "continue with all her strength".
The army came "from the middle of society and belongs there too". When Kramp-Karrenbauer took office in July, she promised, among other things, to make the Bundeswehr more visible through public pledges.
To do so, she said she had "written to all the prime ministers and suggested that they perform public pledges in their respective federal states on the occasion of the Bundeswehr's birthday on 12 November." Not all followed the call: On Tuesday seven solemn pledges were planned in Germany.
Schäuble: Public pledges generate "the necessary backing"
Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble also declared himself a guest of honor for more public promises. These demonstrated "the solidarity of the citizens with their soldiers" and provided for "the necessary support" in the society, said Schäuble. "We have lived peacefully for almost 75 years, but this peace is not self-evident."
Schäuble also promised the recruits that they could rely on parliament. The decision to be a soldier is a brave promise to fight in an emergency.
In the past there had been repeated protests and disturbances in vows in Germany. Critics declared that militarism was publicly displayed. Nationwide, there are numerous pledges every year, according to the Bundeswehr Association, there are "an average of about 150 per year". In their present form, they were introduced in 1956.
For Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer, the public statements of solidarity are an important step towards strengthening the Bundeswehr. Recently, she also spoke out in favor of more foreign missions and the creation of a National Security Council.
