Powerful words mask the dreary reality
“It’s remarkable how #WoistOlaf Scholz, who even well-meaning people attest to neither excessive talent nor an irrepressible desire for communication, is always able to use powerful words to hammer down communicative pegs. Bangs and double bangs were more for the rough stuff. On the other hand, with the turning point a year ago, the chancellor breathed a whiff of history.
Today one has the impression that Scholz invented the word. The historic moment of the Federal Chancellor was celebrated in the media as if Martin Luther King had had a dream and Winston Churchill shouted ‘never surrender’. Scholz” powerful words mask the dreary reality that followed them. In any case, there is currently no sign of a turning point in the Bundeswehr. Proof of Scholz’ communicative excellence. Sounds strange, but that’s how it is.”
Dirk Benninghoff
Like a skit
“Thank you for your survey on the Bundeswehr reform. This isn’t a joke (or is it): Otto performed a sketch back in the 1970s that went something like this: ‘After six months, we finally managed to get permission to change our underwear. So let’s start right away: Zimmermann changes with Zürn, Schmidt with …
So there has probably been mismanagement in the area of materials management in the Bundeswehr for decades. Since this has probably become a culture, little change can be expected with a change in strategy (‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’).
Otherwise, I feel completely unqualified to comment factually.”
Marc M. Batschkus
>> Read about this: One year after the Chancellor’s turning point speech – The Bundeswehr is in even worse shape
word of the year
“The word ‘Zeitenwende’ deserves to be voted non-word of the year. In terms of content, it is a matter of a very late turn in knowledge, which so far – as is always the case in Germany – has not been followed by any real turn in action worthy of the name.”
Ludger Brake
For the Bundeswehr, the turning point is rapid
“Of course there was a turning point. For the Bundeswehr it is rapid. For a citizen money recipient in slow motion. The receiver decides about reality, not the sender. For this we should put on the shoes of the respective recipient of the turning point before we judge.”
Bernd Braun
Everything stops
“Slow-motion turn is a more accurate term, because hardly anything is happening. Hardly any of the 100 billion euros in special funds has been used up to date because the Bundeswehr is mired in bureaucracy and the 100 billion euros are actually not available. That means: more debt for projects that first have to be approved, and so far nothing concrete has happened there either. Before the federal government orders, other companies from abroad have already done so and are supplied first.
Because of the decades of shattered savings, in which only the bureaucracy was pampered and bloated, everything just falters. A complete reorganization would be necessary, and quickly.”
Iris Zessner
Always slow motion
“The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) is always slow motion. The biggest demotivator came, once again, from the CSU and gave the office nothing but a new name! There is no longer a need for consultants, but rather a reform from within, with the participation of those involved themselves! This needs moderation and political support!
PS: The money will be used sooner or later, but even private industry cannot do it overnight.”
Manfred Ostertag
It remains a buzzword
“The catchphrase ‘time change’ was pronounced by Olaf Scholz and so far it has only remained a catchphrase. As is so often the case, politicians name their ambitions and propagate them in order to signal to the people that something is being done, although sooner or later they will disappear again. By the time it’s finally time to start, there’s either no more money or time has turned again…”
Christian Strasser
Priorities should have been reset
“After the Chancellor’s speech at the end of February 2022, the three coalition parties would have had to renegotiate their coalition agreement. Because the Russian war turned everything upside down. In such a case, priorities must be set anew – then decided by the party conferences. That would be good, sensible policy. Unfortunately, I no longer see them in Scholz, Habeck, Lindner and their parties.
Eric Baier
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More: Last week, Handelsblatt readers looked back on a year of war in Ukraine.