In view of the repeated criticism of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, SPD leader Saskia Esken has expressed support for her party colleague.
"Mrs. Minister Lambrecht has taken on a difficult task," said Esken on Thursday morning on the RTL / ntv program "Frühstart".
"After so many years of saving in the Bundeswehr, procurement measures must now be implemented, procurement must also be changed, the Bundeswehr must be restructured." She is "very confident" that Lambrecht "will continue to make good progress there" and stands "completely behind her".
Esken underscored: "Through Putin's attack on Ukraine, we clearly recognized that we have to catch up in national and collective defense."
With her New Year's Eve video, which was distributed via Instagram at the weekend, Lambrecht had once again attracted great criticism.
In it, she takes stock of the year 2022, which was shaped by the war in Ukraine, but her words are repeatedly lost in the whistling of New Year's Eve rockets and exploding firecrackers.
There are calls for the Union to step down.
It is awaited with interest whether and how the SPD parliamentary group will address the minister at their annual meeting next week.
In the interview, Esken was also asked about the scenario that Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser could become the SPD's top candidate in the state elections in Hesse.
The party leader evaded a question as to whether the defense minister could also be replaced in the event of a possible cabinet reshuffle.
The SPD state association will decide the question of the top candidate in Hesse, said Esken.
“These questions that you are asking are not currently being asked, they will be asked in the future.
And we will decide that together.”