More suspected cases of right-wing extremism, new allegations at the KSK.
The first annual report of the military commissioner also shows how much Corona is taking the troops.
Berlin - The number of new suspected right-wing extremism cases in the Bundeswehr rose to 477 last year.
This was reported by the Bundestag's Defense Commissioner, Eva Högl (SPD) *, on Tuesday in Berlin, citing the Military Counter-Intelligence Service (MAD).
The MAD annual report for 2019 had named 363 new suspected cases.
The number of cases also increased in the area of so-called Reich citizens / self-administrators - from 16 in 2019 to 31. In the “phenomenal area” of Islamism, however, the numbers fell from 77 to 31. On the role of the MAD, Högl explained: Countering extremism is an important function and should be further strengthened in terms of personnel. "
The increase shows that there is still a need for action in all areas of the Bundeswehr when it comes to right-wing extremism, said Högl.
“Education, sanctions and prevention are needed - consistently, consistently and quickly.
That is an ongoing task - in society as a whole and thus also in the Bundeswehr. "Political education is the key and must be" an integral part of everyday service. "
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Eva Högl (SPD), Defense Commissioner of the Bundestag, presents her first annual report on the state of the Bundeswehr before the federal press conference.
© Wolfgang Kumm / dpa
Defense Commissioner of the Bundestag, Eva Högl, calls for "absolute transparency" at the KSK
Högl also asked for a detailed explanation of the allegations against soldiers of the Special Forces Command (KSK).
“A reform process has been initiated.
The accusation of an 'amnesty' for weapons and ammunition possession in the KSK, which has now become known, is a considerable burden on the entire process of education and reform.
We need the clarification of all facts in the KSK and absolute transparency, ”said a message from the SPD politician on her annual report.
The KSK has been rocked by several scandals in recent years, including right-wing extremist incidents.
KSK commander Markus Kreitmayr, who is at the head of a reform program, has been criticized since last week.
The brigadier general is charged with the fact that soldiers could throw hoarded or possibly stolen ammunition into boxes without this having any further consequences.
It is unclear since when the Ministry of Defense was informed about it.
Högl presented its first annual report on the situation in the Bundeswehr after taking office a year ago.
According to Article 45b of the Basic Law, the Armed Forces Commissioner assists the Bundestag with parliamentary control of the armed forces.
But she is also considered the soldiers' advocate, who can turn to her at any time.
Use of the Bundeswehr in the fight against Corona: Mission medal for "exemplary commitment"
In their report, Högl also stated that administrative assistance in the corona pandemic presented the Bundeswehr * with a "huge challenge".
"Almost 500 entries relating to the Covid-19 pandemic showed how high the burden was on the soldiers, how great the concern for their health and service and how important and serious their concerns were in overcoming this crisis."
"The exemplary commitment to administrative assistance should be rewarded with a medal," Högl continued.
“Where civil institutions and structures reach their limits, the Bundeswehr can provide support, but it cannot replace staff deficits.
We should learn lessons from this pandemic and examine how civil protection and disaster relief can be improved. "
The number of new hires fell in 2020 - "certainly also due to the pandemic," Högl continued.
The Bundeswehr gained 16,430 new men and women, 19 percent less than in the previous year.
Högl also criticized the equipment of the Bundeswehr and its general conditions - a standard topic in the report by the Armed Forces Commissioner: “Too little material, too little staff, too much bureaucracy.
That is unacceptable. ”
(Dpa) * Merkur.de is part of the Ippen digital network.
