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Friedrich Merz in Kyiv
Photo: VALENTYN OGIRENKO / REUTERS
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz attacked Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD).
"If she understands something about the matter, then she is very successful in hiding it from the public," said the CDU boss of the "Rheinische Post".
Lambrecht had been repeatedly criticized by the Union in recent weeks - including for their hesitation and their communication on arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Rumors persist that Lambrecht could replace Interior Minister Nancy Faeser if she moves to Hesse.
The fact that she is already showing her interest shows "how comfortable she feels in her office," said Merz.
FDP woman Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the defense committee, "would certainly have been the better choice," Merz continued.
Merz had recently traveled to Ukraine.
In Kyiv he met, among others, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Merz calls for more money for the Bundeswehr
In the interview with the "Rheinische Post", the CDU leader also campaigned for better financial resources for the Bundeswehr.
According to Merz, this should be financed through savings and reallocations in the budget.
"We expect the coalition to simply do what he told the Chancellor on February 27, namely to invest more than two percent of our gross domestic product per year in our defense from now on."
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After the Chancellor's government statement, things had become strangely quiet about the two percent target.
»For fear of internal party conflicts in the SPD, the traffic light is now only concentrating on the 100 billion euros in new debt.
But just reordering ammunition costs 20 billion euros,” said Merz.
Then a fifth will be gone, and we haven't even talked about major projects.
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