Because of derisive remarks about the AfD, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) was expressly warned by Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) to exercise restraint. “I really ask you to treat the MPs with respect,” Bas said on Wednesday during the government questioning of her party colleague. “I really ask you to just swallow one or two comments” – even if she “unfortunately” cannot formally reprimand the government bench.
Pistorius had previously described the question from a Green MP as “smart” and contrasted it with stupid questions from members of other factions. “Stupid questions are asked on the other side of the House and are usually linked to financial payments, which can also come from Moscow or Beijing.”
AfD parliamentarians Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron have been in the headlines for weeks because of possible connections to pro-Russian networks. According to media reports, public prosecutors are investigating possible payments to the two politicians. One of Krah’s employees was also arrested on suspicion of espionage for China.
During the government questioning, Pistorius once again called for the Bundeswehr to be strengthened. “We must be ready for war by 2029,” said the SPD politician. “We must provide deterrence to prevent things from getting to the worst.”
Finances, materials and personnel are key to this. “In an emergency, we need strong young women and men who can defend this country,” stressed Pistorius. He therefore believes that a “new form of military service” is necessary, which “cannot be completely free of obligations.” In Germany, conscription was suspended in 2011. Pistorius’s repeatedly announced proposals for a possible reintroduction are expected shortly.
