Union backs Pistorius' financial support
Defense Minister Pistorius strives to prepare the Bundeswehr for war, yet remains hindered by a restrictive budget. CDU/CSU's defense specialist, Florian Hahn, advises Scholz and Lindner against reducing Germany's safety resources.
Hahn, the defense policy spokesperson for CDU/CSU in the Bundestag, believes the Bundeswehr demands a considerable financial boost. "The Bundeswehr's lack of funding and the defense budget are evident, reflecting this federal government's irresponsible neglect of security matters," he asserted. Negotiations on the 2025 budget are ongoing in the government, prompted by austerity measures. Allegedly, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius solicited more money for the Bundeswehr.
Hahn advocates a "substantial and sustained" boost in the defense budget to tackle the escalating responsibilities of the Bundeswehr apart from the 100 billion special fund for retreating campaigns, training, creating the Lithuania Brigade, and further full equipment purchases. He insisted that Pistorius' request for an additional 10 billion euros annually, which seemed practical and prudent, was reasonable.
"Persistent haggling"
Hahn observes that Pistorius' rebuff by Finance Minister Lindner and Chancellor Scholz demonstrates his minuscule influence in the cabinet and the traffic light government's disinterest in its self-proclaimed "turnaround." "The ongoing debates over insignificant amounts within the government just further show the hollowness of this," Hahn mentioned.
Expecting that "Minister Pistorius, who appears to be the only one in this administration to understand the gravity of the situation, will eventually receive the necessary funding for the Bundeswehr," Hahn apprehensively adds, "I fear he will again be rebuffed. He's headed towards becoming a declaration minister whose word counts for nothing. This isn't good for the Bundeswehr or our safety."
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The Union parliamentary group, led by Florian Hahn, supports Boris Pistorius' call for increased funding in the German defense budget, recognizing the need for adequate resources to cater to the Bundeswehr's growing responsibilities. However, Hahn expresses concern that Pistorius' requests for additional financial support, such as an annual 10 billion euros, may face resistance from Finance Minister Lindner and Chancellor Scholz, potentially undermining Pistorius' influence in German defense policy.
Source: www.ntv.de
