German defence procurement faces criticism amid shifting political landscape
Economic experts have criticised German military spending plans, as new polling shows rising AfD support and the governing coalition navigates domestic challenges.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius continues to face scrutiny over military modernisation plans, as Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) President Moritz Schularick warned that projected defence spending through 2030 channels significant resources into legacy platforms, such as tanks and frigates, rather than modern warfare technologies.
The procurement debate comes amid broader shifts in German domestic politics. The latest Deutschlandtrend survey indicates that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has expanded its lead over the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, alongside growing public openness toward case-by-case parliamentary cooperation. Concurrently, the governing Social Democratic Party is dealing with internal rank-and-file dissatisfaction, while law enforcement authorities in Berlin monitor organised crime networks and the agricultural sector seeks government support to alleviate feed shortages caused by drought.
Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau
Sources
- DW — Deutschlandtrend: AfD vergrößert Vorsprung vor der Union
- Die Zeit — Verteidigung: Führender IfW-Ökonom kritisiert deutsche Rüstung
- FAZ — Deutschland-Liveblog: IfW-Präsident wirft Pistorius falsche Investitionen vor
- Tagesschau — IfW-Präsident wirft Pistorius falsche Investitionen in Bundeswehr vor
- Der Spiegel — News: Frust in der SPD, Bandengewalt in Berlin, Futtermangel in der Landwirtschaft
Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCBerlin parliament shrinks after vote transmission error shifts mandate to AfD
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCBerlin parliament shrinks after vote transmission error shifts seat to AfD
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCBerlin recount shifts state seat to AfD following transmission error
- Oct 14, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCBerlin election recount shifts mandate to AfD amid changing voter trends
- Oct 13, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCBerlin election recount shifts seat to AfD and reduces parliament size
- Oct 12, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCBerlin parliament shrinks after election counting error reassigns seat
- Oct 11, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCBerlin election result adjusted after seat recount and demographic study
- Oct 11, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCBerlin parliament shrinks after vote correction as election trends emerge
- Oct 11, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCRecount and voter demographic insights follow Berlin state election
- Oct 10, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCBerlin election analyses highlight youth trends and seat recalculation