Faber assumes chairmanship of the Defense Committee.

Democratic Free Party (FDP) - Faber assumes chairmanship of the Defense Committee.

Marcus Faber (age 40) will now serve as the new chairperson of the Defense Committee, replacing the feisty Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann. The news came after a contentious vote within the FDP members, where Faber emerged victorious against Alexander Müller in the second round. The Defense Committee plays a pivotal role in parliamentary oversight of the Defense Ministry and the Bundeswehr, as well as contributing to the approval of the defense budget and procurement of necessities. The FDP has the authority to nominate a candidate for the position, which then requires formal approval by the committee members.

As the defense policy spokesperson for his faction, Faber was expected to continue in that role and retain his position as leader of his party within the committee. However, in 2022, following some controversial comments about Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he stepped down from his previous position. Prior to this, it was anticipated that Müller, a representative from Hesse, would continue as the FDP's defense policy spokesperson and remain the head of his party within the committee.

Strack-Zimmermann has decided to leave the position of chairperson in order to focus her efforts on European politics. As the lead candidate for the FDP and the liberal party family ALDE in the upcoming European election, she has been a strong advocate for increased arms deliveries to Ukraine. She has never shied away from confrontational attitudes. When speaking to the German Press Agency in Berlin on Tuesday, she remarked, "Either you like me, or you find me quite scary. I take that with respect. It's fine. I didn't go into politics to avoid being noticed. One wants to be recognized naturally." She added, "Considering the genealogy of past holders of this position, I might be one of the loudest if I exclude Franz Josef Strauß." Remarkably, just 70 days after her election to this position, Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine intensified the scrutiny on the Defense Committee. As a result, it is much more "brightly illuminated."

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1. The Defense Committee, under the leadership of Faber, will closely monitor the activities of the German Armed Forces, as it has a significant role in parliamentary oversight of the Defense Ministry and the Bundeswehr.
2. Strack-Zimmermann, the outgoing chairperson of the Defense Committee, has been a vocal supporter of increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine, aligning with the FDP's stance in European politics.
3. Faber served as the defense policy spokesperson for his party within the committee before stepping down in 2022 due to controversial comments about Chancellor Scholz.
4. Prior to Faber's leadership, Alexander Müller, a representative from Hesse, was anticipated to continue as the FDP's defense policy spokesperson and remain the head of his party within the committee.
5. Following a contentious vote within the FDP members, Faber was elected as the new chairperson of the Defense Committee in Berlin, taking over from Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann.

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