Baerbock calls for an increase in the Bundeswehr's special funds

bForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) called before the Munich Security Conference to increase the Bundeswehr's special assets decided in 2022. With a view to greater European cooperation in defense, Baerbock explained on Thursday: “It is clear that the current special fund will not be sufficient for this, but must be significantly increased in the future.”

Investments in the “generational project of the European Security and Defense Union” could not be subject to “one-year budgets and the debt brake”. “Security has its price,” added Baerbock.

Baerbock wants a European defense union

The Green politician reiterated her call for a “security and defense union that strengthens the European pillar in NATO” – regardless of who is in power in the USA.

The threat of former US President Donald Trump, who was seeking re-election, to refuse military assistance to defaulting NATO members had fueled the debate about higher long-term defense spending.

Pistorius is discussing a permanent increase in the defense budget

This week, CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter also spoke out in favor of increasing the Bundeswehr's special funds: He brought an increase from 100 to 300 billion euros into play. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), however, spoke out in favor of a permanent increase in the defense budget. Another special fund is not his “favorite” option.

Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock called for strengthening European defense capabilities, particularly with a view to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. “In the next few years it will no longer just be about supporting Ukraine militarily,” she explained. “We Europeans must be able to better defend ourselves, as laid out in the National Security Strategy.”