- Ramelow calls for a debate on US missiles
The question of the deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany should, in the view of Thuringia's state premier Bodo Ramelow (Left Party), be discussed in the Bundestag. "I believe there should be a general debate in the Bundestag on this issue," he told the "Handelsblatt". This would involve broadening the perspective and talking more about peace again.
The USA plans to station long-range weapons systems in Germany from 2026 that could also hit targets in Russia. These plans have been criticized by some in the federal SPD, for example. While the Bundestag can debate the issue, experts believe it does not have to be consulted before the government makes a decision.
Asked whether the Alliance for Progress and Peace (BSW), which is currently ahead of the Left in Thuringia polls, is tapping into people's desire for peace with its rhetoric, Ramelow said: "I can't deny that. There is a deep longing for peace." However, he added, Ukraine has the right to defend itself and needs weapons for that purpose.
The federal SPD has voiced criticism against the USA's plan to deploy long-range weapons in Germany, potentially impacting the defense strategy between neighboring countries. In light of this, Bodo Ramelow emphasized the importance of peace and Ukraine's right to defend itself, underlining the need for a balanced approach to this defense issue.
