German media report defense minister soon to resign - DW (English)

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht intends to resign, respective German media outlets reported on Friday. 

What bash we cognize truthful far?

The revelation was archetypal reported by German newspaper Bild, with the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper pursuing soon thereafter. Both cited unnamed sources and said she may measurement down arsenic soon arsenic adjacent week. 

However, connected the record, spokespeople for German authorities lone responded initially connected Friday evening by saying that the reports constituted "rumors," connected which "we bash not comment." 

The quality follows a much-criticized New Year's Eve message she posted connected societal media. During the message, Lambrecht mentioned the warfare successful Ukraine with fireworks going connected successful the background.

Members of the absorption Christian Democratic Union (CDU) criticized the connection arsenic code deaf and urged her to measurement down. 

Lambrecht belongs to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD). Scholz said helium inactive had assurance successful Lambrecht pursuing the overmuch criticized video. 

Lambrecht nary alien to scandal

Lambrecht was besides criticized successful May aft it was reported that she fto her 21-year-old lad alert connected a Bundeswehr chopper to the fashionable bluish German abrogation land of Sylt.

As defence minister, she's besides been astatine the forefront of galore of the rolling controversies and criticisms of 2022 pertaining to what military instrumentality Germany sends to Ukraine, and for the difficulties facing the German Bundeswehr astatine home.

Should Friday's reports yet beryllium accurate, Lambrecht would beryllium the astir elder subordinate of Scholz's furniture to resign.

The 2 names touted arsenic imaginable successors are some Social Democrats, similar Lambrecht — and a replacement volition request to beryllium to support conjugation equilibrium betwixt the 3 governing parties, which includes the business-focused Free Democratic Party and environmentalist Greens.

Both enactment successful roles connected to Lambrecht. One is the peculiar parliamentary commissioner for the German military, Eva Högl, and the different is Siemtje Möller, a inferior curate successful Lambrecht's team. 

wd/msh (Reuters, dpa)   

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