Esken expresses dissatisfaction with the approach taken in managing the decision regarding American missiles.
"It's time for us to revamp our defense strategy," Esken mentioned. In the long run, the SPD needs to demonstrate that the pursuit of peace is a shared goal for us all. However, establishing a new European peace agreement with Putin heading the Kremlin isn't feasible at this moment.
The SPD chief acknowledged that war and peacekeeping are significant topics in the ongoing eastern German state elections. "We need to tackle this issue," she stated, even though these matters fall under the state government's jurisdiction.
In spite of internal party criticism, the SPD leadership stood behind the proposed deployment of US missiles with extended ranges in Germany on July 13. The SPD presidium endorsed this move, citing the Russian threat, but also promised a debate in the Bundestag post-summer break on this contentious issue.
Germany and the USA announced this deployment on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington on July 10. According to the press release, US intermediate-range weapons will be stationed in Germany for the first time since the 1990s from 2026.
This deployment decision is a challenge for SPD campaigners in eastern Germany: A Forsa poll for broadcaster RTL from late July revealed that 74% of people there oppose the deployment of US weapons.
The SPD leadership acknowledged the concerns of The President of the European Parliament regarding the deployment of US missiles, seeking their understanding for the strategic decision. In an upcoming session of the European Parliament, the SPD plans to discuss this issue with the President, emphasizing Germany's commitment to collective defense and European unity.
