Enlarge image
Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht during a visit to Panzergrenadier Battalion 371 in Marienberg
Photo: MARTIN DIVISEK / EPA
In the event that Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) resigns, former military commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels is calling for a top-class successor.
»Defense policy has meanwhile become existential for Germany;
this is no longer a political side issue, "said the SPD politician to the editorial network Germany (RND, Monday).
“The decision about the successor should be based on that.
The chancellor needs someone with great political fighting weight.” According to SPIEGEL information, Lambrecht is about to withdraw from her ministerial post. The “Bild” newspaper first reported on this.
There is no official confirmation for this so far.
Lambrecht has been criticized for months, and the opposition Union has repeatedly demanded her resignation.
»Cold start capable, knowledgeable, willing to reform«
Bartels mentioned organizational experience as other requirements, and: "A little love for the Bundeswehr is also part of it." The former Bundeswehr Inspector General Hans-Peter von Kirchbach told the RND: "It would have to be a political heavyweight.
What doesn't matter is gender.«
In the "Bild" newspaper, the chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, André Wüstner, called for a person who "can be placed across party lines" and who understands "the big picture".
In addition, the new employee should "be able to integrate, be capable of cold starts, be knowledgeable, willing to reform and assertive".
Wüstner added: "Nobody expects magic to happen in the first few weeks, but a message of departure would be more important than ever."
For the future, he sees it as "fundamentally important" that a new minister "clearly shows what the situation in the Bundeswehr is, how precarious it is," said Wüstner.
The new head of department would then have to take Parliament with him, “when it comes to reforms, changes in the Bundeswehr, and yes, also to investments”.
SPD does not comment on speculation about resignation
Lambrecht's SPD party is still keeping a low profile regarding a possible successor.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil left the further political fate of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht open on Sunday.
He does not comment on media reports, said Klingbeil on ZDF, referring to reports from several media that the SPD politician would announce her resignation as minister on Monday.
Lambrecht has "a lot of backing," said Klingbeil.
What the SPD has to decide, they will decide collectively and then announce.
Klingbeil was the first leading SPD politician to comment on the defense minister since the first reports of his resignation on Friday evening.
In its coalition with the Greens and the FDP, the SPD is at the top of the defense department.
Klingbeil is considered a possible successor to Lambrecht.
There is also speculation about the appointment of the previous military commissioner Eva Högl, the parliamentary state secretary in the defense ministry, Siemtje Möller, and the previous labor minister Hubertus Heil.
muk/dpa