BERLIN, April 10. /TASS/. There is growing frustration in German military circles about Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ (Social Democratic Party of Germany) efforts to reform the ministry he is in charge of, Germany’s Bild daily said on Monday.
The daily recalled that Pistorius, who took office on January 19, promised to do away with the so-called diffusion of responsibility, which leads to delays in the implementation of important projects, including weapons purchases. He has already reduced the ministry’s senior personnel from 370 to 160 and has made several reshuffles. Thus, he replaced Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Eberhard Zorn with Carsten Breuer and President of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) Gabriele Korb with her former deputy, Annette Lehnigk-Emden.
"No other minister has ever come in to rule with an iron fist so firmly and so quickly. However, Pistorius’ strategy is very risky, since no other ministry is that fond of drama," the Bild writes. "Now, Pistorius may face the wrath of disillusioned top brass whom he wants to strip of power or who simply don’t share his plans."
Officers are particularly unhappy about the dismissal of Eberhard Zorn, who is very popular in the army. "That’s no way to treat a distinguished soldier," the newspaper cites its source in the Bundeswehr as saying. Gabriele Korb’s being replaced by Lehnigk-Emden, who reportedly learned about her appointment through the mass media, was also met with discontent.
These reshuffles and rumors paralyze the ministry’s work. "Pistorius must put an end to the speculation," a general told the newspaper on condition of anonymity. According to the general, everyone is nervous about being fired at the drop of a hat. The situation is complicated by the fact that Pistorius is on Easter leave, after which he will pay a visit (the destination is not disclosed - TASS). This means that a meeting on reforming the ministry can take place only in late April. The minister apparently sees the problem and wrote an e-mail to the ministry’s employees on April 6, while on leave, asking them not to worry and trust him.
"The question is: can this calm the situation?" the Bild noted. Brigadier General Christian Freuding has been appointed chief of the operations management and planning headquarters that is tasked to improve communication between the ministry’s departments. However, his appointment aroused resentment in the ministry, since most other department chiefs have a higher rank than Freuding. "This creates a power struggle in a ministry with such a strict hierarchy," a Bild source said, adding that the ministry’s civilian personnel are unhappy that an army officer has been appointed to such a crucial position.