Scholz-We Will Have Successor To Defence Min Lambrecht Quickly

Wires carrying comments from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding the country's defence ministry following the resignation of under-fire incumbent Christine Lambrecht earlier today. Scholz states that "Today is not the day to announce what comes next", but that his gov't has, "...a very clear idea of how things will go" and that they will "find a successor quickly".

• The German gov't remains under pressure internationally and from political opponents regarding the potential provision of Leopard-2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Currently Germany, as well as France and US, are sending armoured vehicles. However, the UK are sending a number of Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Kyiv and other nations that posses Leopard-2's such as Poland are sending some of their assets in an effort to encourage Berlin to change tack.
• Given the war in Ukraine the appointment of a new defence minister in quick-time is seen as an important action for the Scholz gov't. However, there are risks associated with a 'rushed' appointment.
• Lambrecht, and her two immediate predecessors in the office - Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Ursula von der Leyen - have all been seen as having failed to adequately reform, fund, and supply the German armed forces.
• As such, the incomer will be under significant scrutiny, not just because of the pressures posed by the war in Ukraine but because of the perceived failings of their predecessors from both main political parties.