German Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 20/50,
p. 5382.
Frau President. Ladies and gentlemen.
The government puts forward the largest defense budget in
the history of the Federal Republic of Germany – a good 50 billion euros, more than nine times
as much as the Ukrainian defense budget before the outbreak of the war. And
like every year, we need ask ourselves: What does Germany receive for this
money? How defense-ready is our Bundeswehr? To the greatest defense budget
since the foundation of the Federal Republic is added the greatest injection of
money in the history of the Republic: A 100 billion euro special facility for
the armed forces. Yes, Frau Minister, the money is needed. At the same time,
this enormous sum shows how greatly the Federal governments of the last two
decades have economized and made our armed forces kaputt.
Henning Otte (CDU/CSU): Yet it was steadily increased!
Now it could be said: Let’s forget it! The Ampel coalition is tackling it – and in
fact on February 27 of this year one could have had the impression that the
Federal government understands what is now to be done. Chancellor Scholz
announced a “change of times” for the Bundeswehr. Yet for a good defense policy
is required not only money but primarily capable personnel, determined by the
political circumstances, so as to be able to wisely invest this money. And with
all respect: Such a personnel I do not see on the government bench.
Frau Minister Lambrecht, Herr Chancellor, the defense budget
which you put forward here is a document of failures. Of the enormous sum of 50
billion euros, only 19 percent goes for procurement and innovation. The rest
goes to current operations, pay adjustments, supply capacity, material
receipts, barracks management, to contractors, or is lost in inflation. The latter
hits the area of defense with full force. The 100 billion euro special facility
at the end of next year is worth only 90 billion euros, in five years just 62
billion euros. That is the result of your policy.
Ladies and gentlemen, Frau Lambrecht has directly effected
that the government has shoved many armament projects onto the special budget.
Were I in her place, I would not be proud of that; for she thereby discloses two
things.
First. Despite the removal of many investments from the
regular budget – over 2.3 billion euros – the total expenditure increases. That
means: Still more money for the current operation of a non-mission-ready
Bundeswehr.
Second. The investments from the special facility are
increases in the future operations costs; since any equipment you now procure
by means of the special facility moreover additionally increases the large
portion of operating costs. What the Federal government puts forward here is a
ticking time bomb for the Federal budget of coming years.
Herr Chancellor, your change of times is no change of times.
You continue to do exactly so as a cabinet minister under Merkel. You have not
the power to commission capable personnel and to attempt a structural
clearance. Instead, you deceive the public with giant sums of debt, yet the
required investments in the build up of the Bundeswehr are lacking. Germany
does not thus become more secure and also not more independent.
Ladies and gentlemen, this defense budget is basically an
administrative budget. Just 19 percent goes into combat strength and continued development.
Frau Lambrecht said in committee: What the soldiers need will be procured, and
not what the industry wants to sell. – Yet the converse has occurred.
Gesine Lötzsch (Linke): That’s right. He’s right there!
You order, among other things, additional K-130 corvettes of
the so-called Kahrs class, which goes back to a deal of your faded SPD comrade.
Yet these corvettes are utterly unfeasible for national and alliance defense.
And this is just one example.
The Defense Ministry is apparently incapable of adapting
itself to the new situation. You continue to purchase for your failed
intervention policy even though the security situation in Europe since 2014 has
changed drastically. National and alliance defense is called for. Come about! This
defense budget is not suited for that; it is only one thing: More expensive. As
a Bundeswehr and and foreign security party, we must reject it.
Alexander Lambsdorff (FDP): The Reichwehr perhaps!
I thank you for your attention.
Falko Droßmann (SPD): Exactly! Reject
any money for the Bundeswehr! Embarrassing, embarrassing! Resign!
[trans: tem]
