Germany’s new defense minister has not set a foot wrong since taking over from Christine Lambrecht in January. However, it is the outcome of the current fight over the defense budget that will likely define his time in office.
The German chancellor took his time before committing to sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. In doing so, he has maxed out the benefits for the war-torn country. But there are complicating side effects.
The chancellery and the finance ministry have put the brakes on the process that was supposed to lead to the publication of Germany’s first-ever National Security Strategy in early February. Olaf Scholz seems to have written one alone already.
Germany feels it has turned a corner recently in terms of foreign policy. But its self-congratulation may be premature.
Having pushed through a deal in which a Chinese state-owned company takes a minority share in one of Hamburg’s port terminals, the German chancellor is getting ready for his solo trip to see President Xi Jinping in Beijing. It is a missed opportunity.
As foreign minister, the leading Green has given German foreign policy a fresh voice. She has been pushing Chancellor Olaf Scholz to do more to support Ukraine with weapons and even seems not to have given up on the country’s top job.
As Germany braces itself for the tough months ahead, its squabbling politicians need to get a grip and focus on what really matters most: ensuring that Ukraine wins.
Slowly, Germany’s political class has caught up with the present. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Green Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck are starting to prepare Germany for a future that the country did not reckon with.
Amid dramatic shifts caused by Russia’s war of aggression, Germany is getting a lot of flak for dragging its feet and acting too slowly. The Scholz government is risking its leadership role in Europe.
Once again, Chancellor Olaf Scholz only moved after the pressure got too high. His smaller coalition partners are now in a good position to drive government policy.
One month into the proclaimed new foreign policy era, Germany is struggling to take on board what this requires.
Vladimir Putin and his illegal war of aggression against Ukraine have achieved something no German politician has been able to: Setting the country on the path to becoming a serious military power.
