"B-Team": Union criticizes the appointment of the new Minister of Defense - Pistorius comments

Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has officially resigned.

His successor will be Boris Pistorius (SPD).

The CDU grumbles.

All information in the news ticker.

• Union

  criticizes

  Pistorius

  ' appointment : "Cast from the B team"

• Lambrecht successor

  decided: Boris Pistorius is to become the new defense minister

• Official: Lambrecht resigns

  – and complains about “media focus on my person”

• This

  news ticker on Christine Lambrecht and Boris Pistorius

  (SPD) is continuously updated.

Update from January 17, 3:17 p.m .:

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has been in talks as Lambrecht’s successor in the past few days, but now praised the man who was finally chosen: Pistorius was the ideal candidate for the post of defense minister , he said.

"Pistorius will show that he can lead the Bundeswehr and German security policy well through this challenging phase of the turning point."

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Lars Klingbeil, SPD federal chairman.

© Sven Hoppe/dpa/archive image

Pistorius enjoys a great reputation nationwide and across party lines, is deeply rooted in security policy and already has many good contacts with the Bundeswehr.

Klingbeil said he would give the squad just the right appreciation they needed.

Pistorius has also shown that he can lead a large ministry.

At the same time, Klingbeil emphasized that the question of parity between men and women remains important - to the Federal Chancellor and the SPD leadership.

“But in the past few days we had to make a decision on a specific personnel issue.

And Boris Pistorius is the right person for this job - and that's what we decided on."

Update from January 17, 2:34 p.m

.: "You know that I was always very close to the Bundeswehr issues," said Pistorius in his statement about his future office.

"As Minister of the Interior, I am responsible for the relationship with the Bundeswehr.

Not only in civil protection, but also beyond.

I campaigned for a homeland security regiment here in Lower Saxony and was regularly at the Bundeswehr bases, including the naval bases.” The SPD politician emphasized that he knew what the Bundeswehr was about.

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Boris Pistorius in his statement on the office of defense minister that he will take up.

© Moritz Frankenberg/dpa

Statement from Lambrecht's successor Pistorius: "Wants to make the Bundeswehr strong"

Update from January 17, 2:10 p.m

.: Boris Pistorius himself has now commented on his future role as Minister of Defense.

In a press statement, the 62-year-old said he had been asked by Scholz if he wanted to take over the office and had "very gladly" agreed.

The tasks for the troops are enormous.

"I want to make the Bundeswehr strong for what lies ahead," emphasized Pistorius.

The troops could count on him to stand in front of the soldiers.

He attested to the resigned Minister Christine Lambrecht that she had made the beginning of the reorganization of the Bundeswehr.

Scholz: Pistorius has "strength and calm" for the post of defense minister

Update from January 17, 1:40 p.m

.: Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made a statement on the successor to Lambrecht.

Scholz explains that Pistorius is not a "friend and good politician", but also someone with a lot of experience.

He has the "strength and calm that you need for this big task".

He is convinced that Pistorius is someone "who the soldiers will like very much".

Scholz also thanked ex-Minister of Defense Lambrecht and paid tribute to her decision to resign.

Update from January 17, 12:56 p.m .:

No grace period for Boris Pistorius: The chairwoman of the defense committee in the Bundestag, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), told the news portal

that the new defense minister would not have much time to familiarize himself to have.

"In view of the dramatic international situation and the state of the Bundeswehr, he does not get a grace period," said Strack-Zimmermann.

She appealed to the SPD politician to communicate more openly with the parliamentarians.

Constructive cooperation is possible "provided that he exclusively represents the interests of the soldiers at the cabinet table and is assertive towards the ministry," she emphasized.

New Defense Minister: Kubicki calls Pistorius “Olaf Scholz’s last cartridge”

Deputy FDP chairman Wolfgang Kubicki considers Pistorius to be a good choice as Lambrecht's successor.

"Thank God the SPD has said goodbye to the nonsense of filling positions based on gender or regional proportional representation rather than on competence," he told the

.

"However, it is also Olaf Scholz's last cartridge.

Then he runs out of ammo.”

Update from January 17, 12:43 p.m .:

Pistorius is moving into federal politics – and his previous position as Interior Minister of Lower Saxony is vacant.

Who will now be the new head of department in Lower Saxony?

provides an overview of the possible

candidates

.

Troop comments on Pistorius' decision: "Knows leadership"

Update from January 17, 12:37 p.m .:

There is now also a voice from the troops about the planned appointment of Pistorius as Lambrecht’s successor: The President of the Association of Bundeswehr Reservists, Patrick Sensburg, welcomes the decision.

Pistorius is "an experienced interior minister in Lower Saxony and knows leadership," he told the

.

"He is assertive and has already dealt intensively with the security issues of our country."

He was "sure that he will quickly familiarize himself with the details of defense policy," Sensburg said.

He welcomes "the fact that there is now a reservist at the head of the ministry who has had good and intensive contacts with the reserve in Lower Saxony for a long time".

Update from January 17, 12:25 p.m .:

Minister of Finance Christian Lindner congratulated Boris Pistorius on his new position as Minister of Defense.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the FDP leader spoke of his "new cabinet colleague Boris Pistorius".

“A major task lies ahead of us, especially with the implementation of the special fund,” he wrote.

He is looking forward to good cooperation between the finance and defense ministries.

Congratulations to my new cabinet colleague Boris Pistorius.

A major task lies ahead of us, especially with the implementation of the special fund - I look forward to the good cooperation between @BMF_Bund and @BMVg_Bundeswehr.

CL

— Christian Lindner (@c_lindner) January 17, 2023

New Defense Minister: Habeck calls Pistorius "binding and reliable"

Update from January 17, 12:16 p.m .:

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) welcomed the decision for Boris Pistorius as the new Minister of Defense.

"I personally appreciate him very much and have always found him to be reliable and trustworthy," says Habeck.

"Boris Pistorius is a very experienced politician who has the necessary nerves of steel in difficult situations."

Habeck referred to the major challenges facing the new defense minister, "in particular the urgent question of how we can continue to support Ukraine in its right to self-defense," he warned.

Scholz confirms: Pistorius will be Minister of Defense - swearing in probably on Thursday

Update from January 17, 11:42 a.m .:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has confirmed the appointment of Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister Boris Pistorius as the new Federal Defense Minister.

The chancellor will appoint the 62-year-old Pistorius as the new defense minister in the federal cabinet, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

Pistorius will receive his certificate of appointment from the Federal President on Thursday (January 19) and take his oath of office in the Bundestag.

Scholz described future Defense Minister Boris Pistorius as “our country’s outstanding politician”.

"Pistorius is an extremely experienced politician who is experienced in administration, has been dealing with security policy for years and, with his competence, his assertiveness and his big heart, is exactly the right person to lead the Bundeswehr through this turning point," explained the Chancellor.

But the Union sees things differently.

Criticism of Pistorius from the Union: "Again, expertise does not matter"

Update from January 17, 11:36 a.m .:

Criticism of the decision to appoint Boris Pistorius (SPD) as the new Minister of Defense comes from the Union.

"The Chancellor shows that he does not take his own turning point seriously," said the deputy chairman of the Union faction, Johann Wadephul (CDU), the

.

"Again, expertise and experience with the Bundeswehr play no role," criticized Wadephul.

The personnel is a "cast from the B team".

With that, Scholz managed to “create a real surprise.

Unfortunately not a good one.”

According to the CDU politician, moving the Bundeswehr forward requires not only money, but also expertise.

"Given the situation, Boris Pistorius will not be able to have 100 days of training," emphasized Wadephul.

Wadephul announced that the CDU/CSU parliamentary group was offering to work with the new minister, but would follow his work critically.

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Johann Wadephul (CDU) in the Bundestag.

© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/archive image

Lambrecht successor: who is Boris Pistorius?

Update from January 17, 11:03 a.m .:

Who is Lambrecht’s successor Boris Pistorius?

The SPD politician is well known in Lower Saxony, but not necessarily in other parts of Germany.

A few facts about the new Defense Minister: He was born in Osnabrück in 1960 and joined the SPD at the age of 16.

He completed an apprenticeship as a wholesale and foreign trade merchant.

Pistorius completed his military service from 1980 to 1981, after which he studied law in Osnabrück and Münster.

Pistorius has been Minister of the Interior in Lower Saxony since 2013, and his third term began a few months ago.

Before that he was mayor of Osnabrück from 2006 to 2013.

Pistorius was married to the SPD member of parliament Ursula Pistorius and has two daughters with her.

His wife died of complications from cancer in 2015.

You can read more about the new Federal Minister of Defense in a portrait of Pistorius by Fr.de from IPPEN.MEDIA.

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Boris Pistorius (SPD) takes the oath of office when he is sworn in as interior minister in the Lower Saxony state parliament.

Now he is to become Federal Defense Minister.

© Holger Hollemann/POOL/dpa

Boris Pistorius becomes Lambrecht's successor: Scholz wants to announce personnel today

Update from January 17, 10:30 a.m .:

Boris Pistorius should do it and succeed Lambrecht: The 62-year-old Minister of the Interior of Lower Saxony will become the new Minister of Defense.

According to various media reports, Olaf Scholz wants to announce the personnel today.

Boris Pistorius is a lawyer, is considered an experienced political manager and one of the most popular politicians in Lower Saxony.

In the circle of interior ministers, he has earned a reputation as a knowledgeable specialist politician.

Pistorius has also had federal political ambitions for a long time: in 2019 he ran for the federal presidency of the SPD, and in 2017 he was in the shadow cabinet of SPD chancellor candidate Martin Scholz, who wanted to make him federal interior minister if he was elected.

At the conferences of interior ministers, Pistorius, who is considered to be pragmatic, always visibly enjoyed arguing with conservatives like former interior minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) on the open stage – with pointed remarks, but never disrespectful.

Lambrecht successor decided: Boris Pistorius is to become the new Minister of Defense

Update from January 17, 9:52 a.m .:

The decision to succeed Lambrecht has apparently been made: Boris Pistorius (SPD), Minister of the Interior of Lower Saxony, is to become the new Minister of Defense.

This is reported, among other things, by the

and refers to government circles.

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Boris Pistorius is to succeed Christine Lambrecht and head the Ministry of Defense in the future.

© Moritz Frankenberg/dpa/Archive

Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a surprising decision – most recently, SPD politician Eva Högl was traded as the favorite for the office, and the names Lars Klingbeil and Hubertus Heil were also mentioned.

With the decision for Pistorius, the cabinet is no longer occupied equally by women and men, which was the goal of the traffic light coalition when it took office.

The SPD politician Boris Pistorius (62) has been Interior Minister of Lower Saxony since 2013, before that he was mayor of Osnabrück for seven years.

Ex-Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced her resignation on Monday after several mishaps.

Criticism of Scholz: Linke complains about bad handling when Lambrecht resigns

Update from January 17, 7:55 a.m .:

The parliamentary group leader of the left in the Bundestag, Dietmar Bartsch, has criticized the handling of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) with the personnel Christine Lambrecht (SPD).

"Chancellor Scholz shouldn't have stood idly by for weeks.

This opened the door to malicious behavior, especially by the Union, towards Mrs. Lambrecht," Bartsch told the dpa.

According to Bartsch, Lambrecht's resignation was overdue.

The personal theater around Christine Lambrecht" was "a tragedy for German politics", classified the faction leader of the events.

"The fact that she pulled the rip cord herself speaks for her."

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz has to decide on the successor at the head of the Defense Ministry.

© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Lambrecht successor will be clarified on Tuesday: "The troops have the right to get orientation"

Update from January 16, 9:25 p.m .:

Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) confirmed on “hartaberfair” on ARD that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will clarify the Lambrecht successor tomorrow, Tuesday.

The 50-year-old from Lower Saxony, who is also considered a candidate for the post, did not rule out the possibility that he might not become defense minister.

"The chancellor will announce tomorrow who will be his successor," Heil explained on ARD and said: "The troops have the right to receive guidance." before.” He doesn’t feel “underutilized” in this job, said Heil.

Which is an indication that he is dying to remain Labor Minister?

Successor clarified on Tuesday: Scholz wants to appoint defense minister

Update from January 16, 8:50 p.m .:

According to the ARD “Tagesschau”, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to announce the new Minister of Defense this Tuesday (January 17).

Accordingly, on Thursday (January 19), the ministerial certificate is to be handed over by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the successor to Christine Lambrecht (SPD), who resigned from office this Monday.

According to ARD, the military commissioner of the German Bundestag, Eva Högl, is the only remaining candidate.

"Or the chancellor will pull a surprise out of his sleeve," according to an assessment by the "Tagesschau".

ZDF's "heute journal" also reported that the Chancellor had an appointment with the Federal President on Thursday, to whom the German head of government traditionally proposes the appointment of the respective ministers in accordance with the Basic Law.

After Christine Lambrecht resigned: Sharp criticism from the CDU and CSU of Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Update from January 16, 7:15 p.m .:

CDU defense expert Johann Wadephul sharply criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) for the slow search for a successor to Christine Lambrecht (SPD).

To classify: Already on Friday, several media had reported on Lambrecht's impending resignation.

Scholz acts "like a regional politician", said Wadephul in an interview with the

: "Instead of reassigning the command of our soldiers, we see him with a beer when visiting the brewery." The international situation requires "a functioning ministry", explained the 59 year old.

Wadphul said about Lambrecht in ZDF's "heute journal": "She received more financial resources than any minister before her."

The Bavarian CSU (45) also clearly criticizes the German head of government in the traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP.

"Despite the three-day resignation stalemate, Chancellor Scholz cannot present a successor.

That's pure amateurism," said CSU General Secretary Martin Huber at

.

The traffic light government "really doesn't have a well thought-out plan for anything".

When visiting an armaments manufacturer from Ulm this Monday, Scholz assured that he would present a solution in a timely manner that he already knew himself.

On the same day, the chancellor also visited a brewery in the Swabian town, to which Wadephul apparently alluded.

Instead of reassigning command of our soldiers, we see him with a mug of beer at a brewery visit.

CDU politician Johann Wadephul on Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD)

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz (M, SPD) drinks a beer during his visit to the Gold Ochsen brewery in Ulm.

On the right is the managing director Ulrike Freund.

© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa

After resigning as Minister of Defense: Christine Lambrecht (SPD) continues to receive high salaries

Update from January 16, 6:50 p.m .:

In Ramstein, Germany, the NATO defense ministers meet for the so-called Ukraine contact group.

Time is running out for Olaf Scholz to present a successor to Christine Lambrecht.

Update from January 16, 4:55 p.m .:

Christine Lambrecht (SPD) resigns as Minister of Defense and still collects: how much the ex-minister gets.

And why that's not all.

Resignation of Christine Lambrecht: Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts with "great respect"

Update from January 16, 3:40 p.m

.: Scholz talks about Lambrecht at the PK.

The Chancellor expresses “great respect for her decision” and says: “I have worked well and happily with Christine Lambrecht for many, many years.” As far as the successor is concerned, Scholz has “a clear idea” that will be “timely” and “very quickly “ will be announced.

"I know how things should go from my point of view." Then the short press statement is over.

Update from January 16, 3:15 p.m

.: Today the Lambrecht successor will no longer be clarified.

A government spokeswoman said on Monday that a decision should be made "soon".

Olaf Scholz himself initially did not comment.

The Chancellor is currently in Ulm.

In the afternoon he visited a brewery.

He also pays a visit to the Hensoldt armaments company.

At around 3:35 p.m., a press conference by Hensoldt boss Thomas Müller is on the agenda.

The chancellor will certainly also be asked about Lambrecht's personal details.

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz (M, SPD) drinks a beer during his visit to the Gold Ochsen brewery in Ulm.

On the right is the managing director Ulrike Freund.

© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa

Scholz's quota for women could shake - three successor options already off the table?

Update from January 16, 3:01 p.m

.: A trio apparently says goodbye in the race for the Lambrecht successor: According to information from the

, neither Lars Klingbeil nor Hubertus Heil or Wolfgang Schmidt should become Minister of Defense.

They are considered too important in their roles as SPD boss, labor minister and head of the chancellery.

This step should therefore not be justified by gender.

It is said that Scholz could break his promise to women.

Meanwhile, the military commissioner Eva Högl is still the top candidate.

Update from January 16, 2:37 p.m .:

Apparently, the Lambrecht successor should already be clarified on Tuesday.

The

with reference to government circles.

Meanwhile, the Federal Chancellor's tight schedule also speaks in favor of Tuesday (or Wednesday morning).

Scholz is in Mainz for talks on Tuesday and will not return to the capital until Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday morning he will chair the cabinet meeting and then fly to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Update from January 16, 1:32 p.m

.: The military commissioner Eva Högl is the top candidate for the Lambrecht successor.

There is encouragement for Högl from the CDU.

The defense policy spokesman for the Union faction, Florian Hahn, sees the military commissioner as a suitable minister.

"In the replacement, affinity with the troops, a high level of commitment and certain previous experience must play a decisive role," wrote the CDU politician on Twitter on Monday.

"Eva Högl would be suitable, for example." He called for the successor to be arranged immediately and not to follow the "SPD proportional representation".

also read

Eva Högl as Lambrecht successor?

She's the Department of Defense favorite

Eva Högl as Lambrecht successor?

She's the Department of Defense favorite

Update vom 16. Januar, 12.47 Uhr: Die FDP-Politikerin Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann fordert eine schnelle Entscheidung um die Lambrecht-Nachfolge. „Ich erwarte von der Sozialdemokratie nun schnellstmöglich die Benennung einer Nachfolgerin oder eines Nachfolgers“, sagte die Vorsitzende des Verteidigungsausschusses des Bundestages am Montag den Zeitungen der Funke Mediengruppe. Als Voraussetzungen für das Amt nannte Strack-Zimmermann Durchsetzungsstärke im Ministerium und „vor allem Verständnis und Herz für die Soldatinnen und Soldaten mitbringt“. Die FDP-Politikerin selbst war von einigen Beobachtern als geeignete Kandidatin genannt worden. Dafür müsste die FDP jedoch ein Ministerium aufgeben – ein unrealistisches Szenario.

Update vom 16. Januar, 12.30 Uhr: Wie üblich soll Christine Lambrecht einen Zapfenstreich als Militärzeremonie zur Verabschiedung bekommen. „Davon gehe ich aus“, sagte Christian Thiels, Sprecher des Verteidigungsministeriums auf der Bundespressekonferenz.

Wann steht Lambrecht-Nachfolge fest? Scholz will „zeitnah“ entscheiden

Update from January 16, 12:04 p.m .:

The Lambrecht successor is still unclear.

Chancellor Scholz wants to decide "promptly".

Scholz accepted Lambrecht's request for her dismissal, said deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann in Berlin.

"The Chancellor respects Ms. Lambrecht's decision and thanks her for the good work she has done as Minister of Defense during this difficult and challenging time," said Hoffmann.

"The Federal Chancellor will promptly submit a proposal for the replacement of the office to the Federal President."

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After the resignation of Christine Lambrecht, Chancellor Scholz has to arrange the successor and faces a difficult task.

(archive image)

© Bernd Von Jutrczenka/dpa

Am Montag soll nach Informationen der Nachrichtenagentur AFP noch keine Entscheidung über die Neubesetzung des Amtes fallen. Gerechnet wird damit bis Mitte der Woche.

Update vom 16. Januar, 11.39 Uhr: CDU-Generalsekretär Mario Czaja fordert nach dem Rücktritt der Verteidigungsministerin Christine Lambrecht (SPD) eine zügige Nachbesetzung. „Wir hätten erwartet, dass Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz frühzeitiger hier Entscheidungen trifft“, kritisierte der Oppositionspolitiker am Montag im Fernsehsender Welt. „Wir brauchen jetzt schnell Klarheit und Kompetenz für die Bundeswehr.“ Die Truppe müsse wissen, wer sie führt. Für die anstehenden Rüstungsprojekte und die Entscheidungen über mögliche Panzer-Lieferungen in die Ukraine brauche es die schnelle Nachfolge.

Lambrecht zurückgetreten: Feuer am Vorabend der Entscheidung?

Update vom 16. Januar, 10.55 Uhr: Einen Tag vor Lambrechts Rücktritt soll es in ihrer Wohnung einen Feuerwehreinsatz gegeben haben. Wie die Bild berichtet, ist ein Adventskranz in Brand geraten. Lambrecht selbst soll jedoch Schlimmeres verhindert haben. Als die Feuerwehr wegen „Rauchentwicklung“ an der Wohnung eintraf, sei bereits alles gelöscht gewesen.

Update vom 16. Januar, 10.45 Uhr: Die Lambrecht-Nachfolge soll heute offenbar nicht mehr geklärt werden. Das berichtet die Nachrichtenagentur AFP mit Verweis auf Regierungskreise.

Update vom 16. Januar, 10.30 Uhr: Mit ihrem Rücktritt scheint Lambrecht nun ihre politische Karriere begraben zu haben. Die gebürtige Mannheimerin hat kein Bundestagsmandat und wird sich damit wohl gänzlich aus der Politik zurückziehen. Über diesen Schritt hatte Lambrecht eigentlich schon vor der Bundestagswahl 2021 orakelt, ehe sie Scholz ins Ministerium berief.

Offiziell: Lambrecht tritt zurück – und beklagt „mediale Fokussierung auf meine Person“

Update vom 16. Januar, 10.06 Uhr: Verteidigungsministerin Christine Lambrecht (SPD) tritt zurück. Sie hat Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD) um Entlassung gebeten, hieß in einer Erklärung der Ministerin, die das Verteidigungsministerium veröffentlichte.

"The media focus on my person for months hardly allows factual reporting and discussion about the soldiers, the Bundeswehr and security policy decisions in the interests of the citizens of Germany," writes Lambrecht accordingly.

"The valuable work of the servicewomen and men and the many motivated people in the business unit must be in the foreground.

That's why I decided to make my position available.” She thanks everyone “who is committed to our security every day and sincerely wishes them all the best for the future.” There were initially no details about successor plans.

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In the end it was possibly one mistake too many: Christine Lambrecht's resignation as defense minister is official.

© Philipp Schulze/dpa

Update vom 16. Januar, 9.40 Uhr: Für den Fall eines Lambrecht-Rücktritts käme dieser nach Einschätzung des CDU-Außenpolitikers Roderich Kiesewetter zu einem schlechten Zeitpunkt. „Die Entscheidung von Frau Lambrecht ist zu respektieren, aber der Zeitpunkt, jetzt vor dem internationalen Ramstein-Treffen für die Ukraine, ist absolut schlecht für die Bundeswehr, aber auch für die Ukraine“, sagte Kiesewetter am Morgen dem Sender Bayern 2. „Das ist ein absolutes Kommunikationsdesaster, dass so etwas zu früh nach außen dringt.“ Es seien viele Fehler gemacht worden in den vergangenen Monaten.

Lambrecht vor Rücktritt: Die möglichen Nachfolger im Verteidigungsministerium

Update vom 16. Januar, 8.20 Uhr: Der offizielle Rücktritt von Verteidigungsministerin Christine Lambrecht steht an diesem Montag offenbar unmittelbar bevor. Das berichtet unter anderem die ARD unter Berufung auf Quellen aus dem Verteidigungsministerium. Demnach könnte der Rücktritt vorerst lediglich schriftlich erfolgen. Nicht klar sei dagegen, ob auch direkt eine Nachfolgerin oder ein Nachfolger genannt werden wird. Als mögliche Kandidaten für den Posten im Verteidigungsministerium gelten aktuell:

• Eva Högl, Wehrbeauftragte des Bundestags (SPD)
• Hubertus Heil, Bundesarbeitsminister (SPD)
• Lars Klingbeil, Parteichef (SPD)
• Thomas Hitschler, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär im Verteidigungsministerium (SPD)

Details zu den Nachfolge-Kandidaten haben wir hier für Sie zusammengefasst.

Update vom 16. Januar, 6.38 Uhr: Nach den Berichten über einen bevorstehenden Rücktritt von Verteidigungsministerin Christine Lambrecht wird mit Spannung erwartet, ob die Ministerin oder die Regierung am Montag Klarheit schaffen werden. Bisher hielten sich Lambrecht, Kanzler Olaf Scholz und die SPD bedeckt. SPD-Parteichef Lars Klingbeil sagte am Sonntagabend in der ZDF-Sendung „Berlin direkt“ nur, dass man geschlossen entscheiden werde. „Und wir verkünden Dinge dann, wenn sie zu verkünden sind.“

In the event that Lambrecht resigns, the chairman of the German Armed Forces Association, André Wüstner, calls for an assertive successor.

“He needs competence, he needs assertiveness.

He must be recognized across parties, and yes, he must also be able to integrate," said Wüstner on Sunday evening in ZDF's "heute journal".

He is facing an enormous challenge, the Ministry of Defense is already the most difficult ministry in the federal government, especially in times of war.

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The head of the German Armed Forces Association, André Wüstner, calls for an assertive successor in the event of Lambrecht's resignation (archive photo)

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

Für die Zukunft sehe er es als „elementar wichtig“ an, dass ein neuer Minister oder eine neue Ministerin „klar aufzeigt, wie die Lage in der Bundeswehr ist, wie prekär sie ist“, so Wüstner. Der neue Ressortchef müsse dann das Parlament mitnehmen, „wenn es um Reformen geht, um Veränderungen in der Bundeswehr, und ja, auch um Investitionen“.

Tritt Verteidigungsministerin Lambrecht zurück? Scholz hat ein „Frauenproblem“

Update vom 15. Januar, 10.01 Uhr: Lambrecht schweigt noch zu den Rücktrittsspekulationen, ebenso Scholz. Wie nun die Bild am Sonntag (Bams) erfahren haben will, will Scholz bei einer möglichen Neubesetzung ihres Ministeramtes an seinem Grundsatz festhalten: dass sein Kabinett mindestens zur Hälfte weiblich ist.

Dieses „Frauenproblem“, wie die BamS es ausdrückt, würde bedeuteten, dass es für die Verteidigungsministerin wieder eine Nachfolgerin geben müsste. Zu dem Thema sagte zugleich Bundestagsvizepräsident Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP) zur BamS: „Der Bundeskanzler sollte das für Deutschlands Sicherheit wichtige Verteidigungsministerium nicht unter paritätischen Gesichtspunkten nach Geschlechtern, sondern nur nach Kompetenz besetzen.“

Wer als mögliche Lambrecht-Nachfolgerin infrage kommt, haben wir hier für Sie zusammengefasst.

Ministerin Lambrecht vor dem Rücktritt? Söder macht Druck und warnt Scholz

First report from January 15th

: Berlin – What is the next step after Lambrecht's list of breakdowns with the Minister of Defense?

According to media reports, the SPD politician herself has decided to resign.

Speculations about possible Lambrecht successors are already running high

Now CSU boss Markus Söder joins the debate.

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Lambrecht and Scholz (archive image from November 2022)

© Bernd Elmenthaler/Imago

"A possible successor must be clarified immediately," said the Bavarian Prime Minister of the

on the case of Christine Lambrecht.

There shouldn't be any slack.

"And this time, competence must come before internal party proportional representation."

Lambrecht's resignation?

Scholz "overhears" journalists' questions

So far there has been no official confirmation of Lambrecht's withdrawal.

Questions from journalists were deliberately ignored by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Saturday (January 14) at the opening of a liquid gas terminal in Lubmin on the Baltic Sea.

Lambrecht has been criticized for months, the opposition Union had repeatedly asked for her resignation.

Critics accuse the minister of the sluggish start of procurement for the Bundeswehr or a lack of expertise, but her public appearance was also repeatedly criticized.

Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance

Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance

A photo of her son traveling in a Bundeswehr helicopter made negative headlines.

Most recently, a New Year's message spread on Instagram, in which she spoke about the Ukraine war accompanied by New Year's Eve fireworks, caused irritation.

List of rubrics: © Moritz Frankenberg/dpa