Admin l Tuesday, January 17, 2023
BERLIN – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called his incoming defence minister, Boris Pistorius, an “exceptional politician,” as he confirmed his choice on Tuesday.
“Pistorius is an extremely experienced politician, with proven administrative experience, who has been dealing with security policy for years,” Scholz said after announcing Pistorius to the post on Tuesday.
“And – with his competence, his assertiveness and big heart – is exactly the right person to lead the military through this turning point,” the chancellor added, referring to his own phrase for the changes in the security environment brought about by the war in Ukraine.
Pistorius replaces Christine Lambrecht, who resigned on Monday.
Berlin is facing increasing pressure from Ukraine and allied nations to send its sophisticated Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to shore up the embattled nation as it fights Russia.