Defense Minister Offends Troops – Handelsblatt Global: Ms. von der Leyen responded to the scandal by accusing the military, on national television, of institutional and cultural deficiencies: “The Bundeswehr has an attitude problem, and they have weaknesses in leadership at different levels,” she said.
Ms. von der Leyen’s broadside against the military sparked such outrage among the troops that she had little choice but to call off her US trip and do political damage control in Germany. The scandal surrounding right-wing extremism in the armed forces has now mutated into a scandal surrounding the previously unimpeachable defense minister.
“Nobody can understand how a minister can cast such judgment on her own troops.”
Andr� W�stner, Bundeswehr association
In Angela Merkel’s cabinet, Ms. von der Leyen has until now been viewed as a clear asset. The fact that her troops have been poorly equipped and weapons deliveries have been repeatedly delayed has done little to tarnish her image. After all,� it was Ms. von der Leyen who told the truth about the poor state of the army, her backers say, and has worked for years to rectify a situation she inherited from her predecessors.
Ms. von der Leyen’s broadside against the military sparked such outrage among the troops that she had little choice but to call off her US trip and do political damage control in Germany. The scandal surrounding right-wing extremism in the armed forces has now mutated into a scandal surrounding the previously unimpeachable defense minister.
“Nobody can understand how a minister can cast such judgment on her own troops.”
Andr� W�stner, Bundeswehr association
In Angela Merkel’s cabinet, Ms. von der Leyen has until now been viewed as a clear asset. The fact that her troops have been poorly equipped and weapons deliveries have been repeatedly delayed has done little to tarnish her image. After all,� it was Ms. von der Leyen who told the truth about the poor state of the army, her backers say, and has worked for years to rectify a situation she inherited from her predecessors.