(German) Military in Flux: What's In Store for Ursula von der Leyen

[unhappycamper]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/the-challenge-facing-new-german-defense-minister-von-der-leyen-a-939577.html



Complex arms procurement projects, confused hierarchies and major reforms are just some of the issues facing future Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen. It's certainly a challenge -- but also a huge chance for the conservative politician to make her mark.

Military in Flux: What's In Store for Ursula von der Leyen
By Gordon Repinski
December 17, 2013 – 04:53 PM

When Ursula von der Leyen comes in for her first day of work at Berlin's historic defense ministry, walks through its columned halls, which less than three years ago witnessed Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg's resignation over a plagarism scandal, she will realize what she's let herself in for. It's a lot.

She will be confronted with the complexities of managing the Bundeswehr's withdrawal from Afghanistan and about planes in development that just don't get finished. She will hear about grumbling in the ministry because thousands of staff still don't know where they'll be working in future. On the corridors she'll see men in uniforms with all kinds of epaulets and sleeve badges, stars and bars in silver and gold. Even though von der Leyen has years of experience as a minister, it's a new world.

For von der Leyen, 55, it's a spectacular career leap. As the first woman to head the defense ministry she is guaranteed a lot of attention. Von der Leyen has long been seen as a possible successor to Angela Merkel. Her new appointment allows her to edge one step closer to the chancellor.

Von der Leyen is taking over a ministry renowned for its complexity. A grand overhaul of Germany's armed forces is currently being implemented. Von der Leyen will be the third minister to have to deal with this reform process. In a highly complex reorganization program, the total number of troops is to be reduced to 185,000, and bases will be closed or merged. Many soldiers are still unsure where they are to be based in future. The 'Bundeswehrverband,' a body representing soldiers' interests, regularly carries out job satisfaction surveys among troops, and the results of future polls may well be unpleasant.

[DetlefK]

1. A possible successor of Merkel, pushed into a difficult job where many others have failed.

Doesn't that sound suspicious to you?