Germany's defence minister resigns after Instagram post and months of criticism
Germany’s much-criticised defence minister resigned today following a series of missteps while her department steers the massive project of modernising the country’s military and oversees expanding weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Christine Lambrecht said that “months of media focus on my person” had stood in the way of a factual debate about the military and Germany’s security policy.
“The valuable work of the soldiers and many people in my department must stand in the foreground,” she said.
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German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht resigned after months of criticism. Photo by Jens Schlueter / Getty Images
Chancellor Olaf Scholz thanked Lambrecht for her work in difficult times, saying he had “great respect” for her decision.
The 57-year-old Lambrecht had been defence minister since Scholz became chancellor in December 2021.
Critics had long portrayed her as out of her depth.
But Scholz stood by her, describing her last month as “a first-class defence minister.”
Pressure on her mounted recently after an ill-judged New Year's video message.
An amateurish message on her own private Instagram account prompted calls for Lambrecht’s departure.
It showed a barely audible Lambrecht speaking against a backdrop of loud New Year’s Eve fireworks in a Berlin street.
“A war is raging in the middle of Europe,” she said.
“And connected with that for me were a lot of special impressions that I was able to gain — many, many meetings with interesting, great people.”
The minister had drawn drew criticism for hapless communication.
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Lambrecht was ridiculed for taking her son with her on an official trip in an army helicopter. Photo by Jens Schlueter / Getty Images
In a January 2022 announcement she declared Germany would deliver 5000 military helmets to Ukraine as “a very clear signal that we stand by your side.”
In April, she took her 21-year-old son along on a military helicopter flight, which became public when he posted a photo on Instagram that it turned out the minister had taken herself.
Her ministry said she had applied for permission and paid the costs herself, but critics said it showed poor judgment.
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Lambrecht's resignation had long been demanded by Germany's conservative opposition. Photo by Jens Schlueter / Getty Images
Lambrecht’s resignation comes at a sensitive moment, as Scholz faces mounting pressure to make another significant step forward in German military aid to Ukraine by agreeing to deliver Leopard 2 battle tanks.
Earlier this month, Germany agreed to provide 40 Marder armoured personnel carriers and a Patriot air defence missile battery to Kyiv.
Germany has given Ukraine substantial support in recent months, including howitzers, Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and the first of four IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems.
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