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Christine Lambrecht resigns as German defence minister

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned following persistent criticism of her handling of military modernization programs and the country’s arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Agencies and A News EUROPE
Published January 16,2023
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German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht speaks during her address as she visits the Marder fighting vehicle company of the Armoured Infantry Brigade 37 taking part in NATO's high-readiness task force in Marienberg, Germany. (REUTERS File Photo)

German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has asked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for her dismissal, she said in a statement on Monday, the culmination of growing scepticism about her ability to bring the German army into shape against the backdrop of the Ukraine war.

"Today I asked the chancellor to dismiss me from the office of federal minister of defence," Lambrecht, a member of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), said in the statement.

Her decision to step down comes as Germany is under pressure to approve an increase in international military support for Kyiv, and Germany's defence capabilities have been called into question after several Puma infantry tanks were put out of service during a recent military drill.