“Overdue” – this is how Handelsblatt readers view Christine Lambrecht’s resignation

Dusseldorf Many readers say the resignation of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht is overdue. One reason given by a reader is that she never felt passion for her position. Another adds: “As a reserve officer, I can confirm that the troops have been suffering for many years under the leadership of politicians who have not really familiarized themselves deeply with the interests of the Bundeswehr or even wanted to do so.”

But there are also letters that are not quite as harsh on the defense minister: “Ms. Lambrecht draws a conclusion that politicians are increasingly lacking, namely taking responsibility and resigning,” writes one reader and pays tribute to her for this. Another reader asks: “Is it really up to Mrs. Lambrecht, who cut a good figure in all the other ministerial posts she previously held?” He rather suspects that the Bundeswehr itself is partly to blame, as the Bundeswehr administration is encrusted.

On Tuesday morning we also asked the Handelsblatt readership what a successor should do better. At that point in time, it was not yet certain that it would be Boris Pistorius, the previous Minister of the Interior of Lower Saxony.

In any case, many see the main challenge in advancing the Bundeswehr. This must be transformed into a “well-equipped, quickly deployable and powerful force” that is an asset to NATO, says one reader. Better supplies for the Bundeswehr and a revised procurement system are also mentioned.

Another reader would be happy “if you appoint a personality as the new Minister of Defense who finds acceptance in the troops and also internationally”. A closeness and a permanent exchange with the people in the Bundeswehr are indispensable. So there is “a lot to do”, as one reader sums it up.

We have put together a selection for you from the letters from the Handelsblatt readers.

Overdue and urgently needed

“Ms. Lambrecht’s resignation was overdue and urgently needed.

As a reserve officer, I can confirm that for many years the troops have suffered under the leadership of politicians who have not really familiarized themselves, or even wanted to, familiarize themselves with the Bundeswehr.

The federal government should use the current resignation in an acute security crisis for Europe as an opportunity to set competence and willingness for positive change as an essential criterion for the leadership of the Ministry of Defense. Even if the desire for an experienced security politician, such as a former general, is unfortunately unrealistic in Germany, there is still a need for a leader who wants to and can shape the future of the Bundeswehr in the long term.”
Markus Goller

Does the Bundeswehr have a completely different problem?

“Is it really because of Mrs Lambrecht, who has done well in all the other ministerial posts she has held before? Or does the Bundeswehr have a completely different problem?

The Bundeswehr administration, especially the procurement office, seems to be so encrusted that it is more self-managed than providing the troops with the equipment they really need for their missions.

A successor for Ms. Lambrecht would have to be competent and assertive enough to break up these structures. Whether someone with these skills will be found seems doubtful to me.”
Jurgen Bohne

>> Read also: The cold start ability of a Lower Saxony – These tasks are waiting for Pistorius

respect for this

“Ms. Lambrecht draws a conclusion that politics is increasingly lacking, namely taking responsibility and resigning. respect for this.

A successor should have sufficient strength, regardless of gender. The troops must finally be seriously modernized, which can only be done by someone with the appropriate political strength. Long overdue!”
Uwe K. Franz

The tragedy is over

“My opinion in five core theses on the subject of Lambrecht or succession:

Lambrecht’s resignation was long overdue and ended a far beyond shameful tragedy that had already begun under Frau von der Leyen.

In principle, I think the idea of ​​a female defense minister is to be welcomed, but she should definitely have served. You can’t do this job properly if you weren’t a soldier yourself.

In my opinion, Lambrecht’s successor should pursue five main goals, in order of priority: 1. Providing the troops with the bare essentials as quickly as possible, meaning the best possible personal equipment such as boots, gloves, headgear, protective and splinter protection Clothing; 2. the establishment of a tightly timed plan to re-equip all branches of arms with sufficient ammunition; 3. Restoring basic weapon systems such as main battle tanks, helicopters, airplanes and frigates as quickly as possible; 4. The procurement of a robust and absolutely reliable assault rifle for the troops – which can be used over the long term, without ‘ideological’ blinkers; 5. The creation of a not too large, but highly professional, highly motivated, technically well-equipped Bundeswehr, which should once again concentrate fully on its core task, namely national defence.

On the other hand, the Bundeswehr should no longer take part in nonsensical international missions that are in no way effective, as was the case in Afghanistan, for example.

Finally, it seems to me that the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which is very clearly defined in terms of time and content – ​​parallel to the above-mentioned highly professional professional army, with the possibility of a smooth transition from conscript to professional soldier – seems worth considering.”
Sven Petran

demands on the successor

“Good factual work and more diplomatic efforts to build peace are important. No warmongering, caution when delivering weapons, etc. Only diplomacy can stop Putin, too.”
Gerhard Rohde

No passion for the position

“The resignation was overdue. Mrs. Lambrecht never felt passion for this position. The SPD has long internally denied that the military and defense are necessary. This insight is also painful for the SPD. Dreams are one side, reality is another.”
Ferry Wittchen

There is a lot to do for the following person

“Lambrecht’s resignation was more than right, it was long overdue.

Your successor should primarily have a qualification in the field of the Federal Armed Forces – and above all, stamina. Not an easy task, since the Bundeswehr has also been ruined for decades, and people in Germany promote a connection to it, it is almost embarrassing or at least superfluous to have a Bundeswehr in the country at all. How grotesque, it now turns out, and how embarrassingly, nothing works, and a bureaucratic apparatus that even makes the purchase of a pencil an odyssey of forms.

There is a lot to do for the person following, I wish them strength and, above all, that they know what to do.”
Iris Zessner

Unnecessary stepping into pitfalls

“Given the desolate image that Mrs. Lambrecht presented as Secretary of Defense, her resignation was right and reasonable, even if little of her behavior was really scandalous. Their unnecessary blundering and public outcry made solving the real problem all but impossible: transforming the Bundeswehr into a well-equipped, rapidly deployable, and powerful force that would be an asset to NATO and a real deterrent to megalomaniac dictators .

Another important task for Ms. Lambrecht’s successor must also be closer coordination of procurement with the European and NATO allies in order to make the acquisition and maintenance of material more cost-effective. This also applies to IT and communication systems as well as cyber defence.”
Roland Stamm

>> Read also: He joined the SPD at 16 and has probably wanted to go to Berlin for a long time – that’s Boris Pistorius

The right move

“Any ministerial post must exude leadership, determination and expertise, qualities Lambrecht lacked during her shortened tenure.

Your successor must radiate these qualities more convincingly. It is also about reviving the lost transparency of the Ministry of Defence. More than ever, these qualities are in demand in Ukraine, the German Armed Forces, etc., in order to find solutions to the dilemma.

Ms. Lambrecht’s resignation was therefore the right step to set an example internally and externally for reflection, acknowledgment and possible progress.”
Lucia Masia

Looking forward

“Looking ahead, that’s all that counts: I would be delighted if someone who was accepted by the troops and internationally was appointed as the new Secretary of Defense.

As with a company, the top employer should understand something of the subject and be able to feel the pulse of the troops. To do this, closeness and a permanent exchange with the people in the Bundeswehr would be indispensable.

In the past, the Bundeswehr and Germany have clearly received too little for around 40 billion euros per year.

I would wish for passion for the responsible task.”
Hans Peter Brause

All not people from the field

“They ‘shot in’ on Ms. Lambrecht as a scapegoat. He still has to prove whether an interior minister can do better. All not people from the field.
But why not finally a professional? The Bundeswehr would certainly have a choice of them, and at least they would know where the problem lies.”
Inge Grässel

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More: Boris Pistorius directly has a double tank problem.