Defense minister Christine Lambrecht resigns after blunders

• Christine Lambrecht has resigned as the defense minister of Germany.
• She was criticized for doing nothing to upgrade Germany’s underfunded military.
• German-built Leopard 2 tanks are considered to be essential for Ukraine.

Christine Lambrecht, the defense minister of Germany, has resigned as a result of numerous mistakes and PR mishaps.

It occurs as Berlin faces increasing pressure to permit the shipment of battle tanks made in Germany to Ukraine.

After saying that Germany would support Ukraine by supplying 5,000 military helmets, Ms. Lambrecht received jeers.

She received harsh criticism for doing nothing to upgrade Germany’s infamously underfunded military.

This was in spite of the fact that €100 billion (£88 billion) had been allocated for it after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

When it became known that Ms. Lambrecht, a Social Democrat (SPD) member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, had taken her kid on a tour in a military helicopter, she too drew criticism.

But the uncomfortable video she shared on New Year’s Eve was what garnered significant criticism and weakened her standing in the political world. Throughout fireworks burst all around her in Berlin, Ms. Lambrecht commented in the film on the rewarding human interactions she had while the fighting in Ukraine.

In a resignation statement seen by the German national news agency, Ms. Lambrecht said: “Months of media focus on me doesn’t allow for fact-based reporting and discussion about soldiers, the army and security policy in the interest of German citizens.

“The valuable work of the soldiers and many motivated people in the defense area needs to be in the foreground.”

At the American military installation in Ramstein on Friday, Ms. Lambrecht was scheduled to meet with other defense ministers from Ukraine’s western allies to consider extending assistance to that country.

In order for Ukraine to overcome Russia, German-built Leopard 2 tanks are considered to be essential. There have been new requests for the German government to supply these tanks, or at the absolute least to authorize their transfer from nations like Poland.

Warsaw has made clear that it intends to provide the battle tanks, but only with the manufacturer’s consent.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz decided this week to provide Marder infantry combat vehicles, despite criticism for his circumspect approach to providing heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Importantly, the choice was made in consultation with the US, who jointly declared that Bradley armored vehicles would be sent.

Shortly after, the UK declared it would send Challenger combat vehicles, putting more pressure on Germany to respond.

According to a senior government source, Berlin will only send Leopards if the US is on board. It would not be until 2024 before the tanks could be delivered, according to the CEO of German defence contractor Rheinmetall.

However, German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck recently stated that his government will not obstruct other countries from sending Leopards.

It is still unclear who will succeed Ms. Lambrecht in a position that is so despised that many people refer to it as “the ejector seat.”

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