UPDATE - German defense minister steps down amid mounting criticism

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ, EDITS THROUGHOUT

BERLIN (AA) – German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht resigned on Monday following a series of fiascos and sharp policy turns that increased pressure on the government.

Lambrecht told the German news agency DPA that she has offered her resignation to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“The months-long media focus on myself hardly allows for factual reporting and debate anymore about the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) and security policy decisions,” she said in her statement.

“The valuable work of the soldiers and the many people in my department must be in the foreground. That’s why I decided to make my office available,” she added.

The Social Democrat politician was widely criticized by the opposition parties for failing to show leadership, neglecting the severe problems of the armed forces, and for being slow with weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

Scholz told reporters that he respected Lambrecht’s decision and said he will soon name her successor.

“I have a clear idea and it will be known very quickly for everyone how this is going to proceed,” he said during a visit to the headquarters of German defense company Hensoldt.

Lambrecht came under heavy criticism earlier this month after she posted a New Year’s speech on social media, which was filmed during celebrations in Berlin.

“There’s a war raging in the middle of Europe,” she said, while fireworks in the background made it hard to hear her words.

But she continued her speech, saying the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war led to “many encounters with great and interesting people,” and she was able to gain “many special impressions.”

German opposition politicians and defense experts called the video an “embarrassment,” urging the defense minister to step down.