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Finance Minister Christian Lindner: "It's not about the militarization of foreign policy"
Photo: Christophe Gateau / dpa
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to underpin his "turning point" in German foreign policy with a 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr.
But in order to enshrine the extra budget in the Basic Law, the traffic light coalition also needs votes from the opposition.
At an initial meeting in the Bundestag, cabinet members underscored the need to massively increase funding for the German armed forces.
"It's not about the militarization of foreign policy, but about one thing: you have to be able to fight in order not to have to fight,"
said Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP)
.
He also indirectly criticized the previous federal governments for their dealings with the Bundeswehr.
According to Lindner, the special fund was chosen to put an end to "fifteen years of neglect of our armed forces".
The FDP party leader spoke of a "decision of historic character" and urged the members of the Union to support the bill.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens)
said now is not the time for "party games".
Dobrindt: »Commission for Peace in Europe«
CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt
initially confirmed that the Union would support the coalition's decision to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine.
Dobrindt spoke of a common »mission for peace in Europe«.
In view of the current situation, Germany must help more than before and strengthen Ukraine in its self-defence.
With a view to the special fund, Dobrindt said: »The turning point does not mean a one-time payment to the Bundeswehr, but a standing order to our defense capability«.
CDU MP Mathias Middelberg
said
that Scholz had explicitly spoken of a "Bundeswehr special fund".
It must therefore be made clear in the Basic Law that the funds actually end up with the Bundeswehr.
Less than half of all Puma infantry fighting vehicles operational
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD)
warned that the dead and murdered in Ukraine showed what was at stake if Putin won the war.
In the countries on NATO's eastern flank, there is concern that they will become the next victims of Russian aggression.
Lambrecht named the various equipment deficiencies of the troops.
From a total of 350 Puma armored personnel carriers in Bundeswehr stocks, only 150 are currently operational.
Of the total of 51 Tiger attack helicopters, only nine could currently take off.
That should be changed with the special fund.
AfD MP Peter Boehringer
, however, described the
special fund as "questionable in terms of budget and constitutional law".
Left faction leader Amira Mohamed Ali
called Putin 's
war against Ukraine terrible.
However, a special fund for the Bundeswehr is "absolutely wrong" and will not end the war in Ukraine.
Scholz announced the creation of a 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr on February 27, three days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The goal is an efficient, ultra-modern, progressive Bundeswehr "that reliably protects us," Scholz said at the time, speaking of a "turning point in time".
Amendment to the Basic Law requires a two-thirds majority
The special fund is to be anchored in Article 87a of the Basic Law.
However, changes to the Basic Law require a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
However, the Union had recently announced that it only wanted to approve the special fund under strict conditions.
According to SPIEGEL information, for example, a determination was made that the billions would really end up with the troops in the coming years and could not ultimately be claimed by other departments.
fek
