Germany towards the transformation into a great military power

Little concrete to suggest this historic turning point in German foreign and security policy. The program of the new governing coalition is entitled “Let’s dare more progress”. It is a fact that this program of two left-wing parties, with pacifist wings, and one right-wing party does not lag behind the program of Merkel’s conservative governments, in foreign and security policy.

But the first steps of the new government were reminiscent of the continuation of the current policy. The government did not explicitly state that the Nordstream 2 pipeline would be suspended, though it did mean so. Sending weapons to Ukraine was ruled out. The attitude towards Russia was explained by the past.

This was the situation when Russia’s offensive against Ukraine brought a tectonic shock to the basic principles of Germany’s foreign and security policy.

The week when almost everything changed

This was the situation when on Tuesday (22.02.) Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the suspension of the Nordstream 2. gas pipeline Russia had recognized the separatist republics in Eastern Ukraine. Four days later (February 26), Germany decided to send weapons to Ukraine. Russia had just launched the offensive against Ukraine. And a day later (February 27) Chancellor Scholz convened the federal parliament, the Bundestag, in a special session, because of the situation in Ukraine.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Bundestag

There Chancellor Scholz delivered a historic speech. With it he announced the reformulation of the identity elements of German politics after the reunification of Germany. It is a historic change in the course of Germany’s foreign and security policy. This change will redefine Germany’s role in the world. Chancellor Scholz’s speech contained five basic points. From the way the speech was constructed and from the atmosphere, quite a few people came to mind the ten-point speech of Chancellor Helmut Kohl, with which he outlined the steps for the reunification of Germany.

Turning elements

Of the five “tasks for action” that Chancellor Scholz outlined in his speech, the major changes first affect security policy. And secondly Germany’s energy policy.

Revolutionary policy can be described as a revolutionary change. Chancellor Scholz stated that Germany will triple its defense budget this year. Another 100 billion euros, special funds, add 49.9 billion euros to military spending planned for this year.

But the revolutionary change consists, first of all, in future defense spending. Germany will spend on defense, from next year, more than 2 percent of GDP. So it will spend more than 71 billion euros a year. This means that Germany will become the third world power for military spending, after the US and China. Germany will become a major European military power. Not only this year, but also from next year Germany will spend more than any other European country on defense.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner told ARD that “our goal… is to have one of the most effective, powerful armies in Europe during this decade.” It will also be fixed in the German constitution that military funds are not affected, not used differently, even if governments are changed.

The number of German soldiers has not yet been themed. Until 31 years ago, Germany had 500,000 soldiers. Today the number of soldiers is 183,758. For the structure of the army Germany intends to maintain the structure with professional soldiers and volunteers, prepared for the tasks of the time. Calls for the reintroduction of compulsory military service are opposed by most parties, at least as long as German territory is not endangered. Rebuilding structures for compulsory military service would absorb urgently needed funds.

F-35 aircraft at Spangdahlem base in Germany

Scholz: “Changing eras”

It is worth remembering that it was the Soviet Union’s threat to democracies and peace that led Germany to rearm after World War II. To rearm only five years after World War II.

It is now the Russian threat to democracies and peace that Germany has decided to become the world’s largest military power.

Chancellor Scholz said in his speech that we are experiencing “a change of eras”. “This means that the world afterwards is not the same as the world before.” “We will have to invest much more for the security of our country.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that “Germany leaves behind today a special and solitary form of restriction on foreign and security policy.” “When the world changes, so must our policy,” said the German foreign minister.

Germany’s turn towards Europe, not towards itself

Such a large military investment would underscore a new role for Germany. Chancellor Scholz sketched out the contours of this role. With massive military investment Germany will not only become much more capable of defending itself. Scholzi stated that Germany is determined to support NATO with its capabilities, to defend the alliance.

By reviewing the basic principles of foreign and security policy, Germany responds to the expectations of Europe and the West. The major turning point in German politics is a turning point towards Europe and the West, not a national closure in itself.

In his speech, Chancellor Scholz particularly emphasized the intention for an even stronger connection with Europe, with the European Union. Scholzi said in his speech that in Germany we should not forget to ask, what is best for Europe, for the EU, not only for Germany, in Brussels.

Chancellors Olaf Scholz

The Chancellor stressed that Germany will develop its defense capabilities together with its European partners. He called the construction of “the next generation of fighter jets and tanks, together with our European partners, especially France, an” absolute priority “.

Until the modernization and development of future joint European aircraft, to transport American nuclear weapons, which are in Germany, Germany will buy American F-35 aircraft. They will replace Germany’s current Tornado aircraft. The Chancellor also spoke about the purchase of armed drones, a novelty in Germany.

Warning immediately came from left-wing circles in France about the danger posed by “a rearmament” of Germany. But Germany is aware of the need to appease its partners. They do not have to be afraid of today’s Germany, which is becoming a leader in foreign and security policy, not only in economic policy.

Turns in energy policy

In the same vein, in his speech, Chancellor Scholz set the goal of overcoming Germany’s dependence on energy imports “from specific suppliers”. It is mainly about the severance of Germany’s energy dependence from Russia.

To this end, the expansion of renewable energies will be encouraged even more strongly. But until then, the duration of the operation of coal-fired power plants is now being considered. At the same time, the extension of the operation of nuclear power plants in Germany is being considered. Bavaria is even discussing the reopening of a closed nuclear power plant. A national reserve for coal is also being created, buying coal in the world market. Two more terminals to import liquefied gas will be built quickly.

Fighter drone «Heron TP»

Turns in public opinion and parties

The turnaround in Germany’s foreign and security policy was supported by all parties in the ruling coalition in the German Bundestag, as well as by the CDU / CSU.

The Social Democrats acknowledged the new reality in relations with Russia and the end of the rapprochement efforts with Putin; the Greens acknowledged the need for it as well hard power, military power to defend Germany and Europe; FDP liberals acknowledged the need to get into debt with special defense funds.

Impressive is the support of German public opinion for the turnaround in Germany’s security and foreign policy. According to the Forsa Demographic Institute, 78% of Germans support the sending of weapons to Ukraine and the increase in German military spending. Recall that no later than 2010, the former president of Germany, Horst Köhler resigned after criticism for the statement that “a country of our size… should know that in case of emergency military commitment is needed to protect our interests. ”

Chancellor Scholz also skillfully used this shift in public opinion to introduce major changes. Peace marches, with hundreds of thousands of participants in Germany, entitle him.

DW, Auron Dodi

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