Lambrecht’s resignation accepted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, soon proposal for successor

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has accepted Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht’s resignation, Deputy Government Spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said at a briefing on Monday.Show more

"The chancellor respects Lambrecht’s decision and is grateful to her for the great job she did in this complicated and challenging time. The chancellor will soon present his proposal to the president on a potential successor," Hoffmann noted.

When asked if Scholz had accepted the minister's resignation, she answered in the affirmative.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht submitted her resignation on Monday, after criticism of Berlin's response to the war in Ukraine.

“Today I asked the Chancellor to be released from the role of defence minister,” Lambrecht said in a statement.

Her stepdown comes as Germany mulls whether to approve an increase in military support to Ukraine in order to help Kiev against Russia.

“The focus from the media over months on my person hardly allows for objective reporting and discussion about the soldiers, the armed forces and the course for security policy in the interest of Germany’s citizens,” Lambrecht said.
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*The politician from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD party was then heavily criticized over a New Year’s video posted on social media.*
*In the clip she lauded her “special experiences” as defense minister in 2022 against a backdrop of loud fireworks.*
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