German defence spending faces criticism as political and domestic challenges mount
Economist Moritz Schularick has criticised Germany's military procurement strategy as political shifts and domestic pressures affect the governing coalition.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has come under renewed criticism regarding the Bundeswehr's modernisation strategy. Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), argued that allocated funds through 2030 are disproportionately directed toward traditional military hardware, including tanks and frigates, rather than next-generation weapon systems.
The defence debate coincides with shifting political dynamics in Germany. According to the latest Deutschlandtrend survey, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has expanded its lead over the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, accompanied by increasing public openness to case-by-case parliamentary cooperation. Concurrently, the Social Democratic Party is managing rising internal dissent, law enforcement in Berlin is addressing transnational organised crime networks, and agricultural producers continue to face feed shortages caused by persistent drought.
Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau