Merkel’s chosen heir gambles on ‘ejector seat’ job as defence chief
ANGELA MERKEL has named the woman widely seen as her chosen successor as defence minister, one of the toughest jobs in German politics.
In a surprise move, Annegret Krampkarrenbauer was appointed at a ceremony in Berlin to succeed Ursula von der Leyen, who is taking over from Jean-claude Juncker as head of the European Commission from November.
Ms Kramp-karrenbauer’s appointment sent shock waves through the German establishment, where it was viewed as a political gamble full of risk.
It was also a U-turn because Ms Kramp-karrenbauer, popularly known as “mini-merkel”, had – when elected leader of their Christian Democrat party (CDU) last year – pledged that she would not take ministerial office but would focus on running the party.
Instead, she has taken a job known as the “ejector seat” for the number of careers it has ended.
Mrs von der Leyen was herself once seen as a potential successor to Mrs Merkel, until her prospects foundered at the defence ministry.
“The men and women in the Bundeswehr show their commitment to this country in a very special way,” Ms Kramp-karrenbauer said. “They deserve the highest political priority and deserve the full commitment. I take up this office with full conviction.”
She will be formally sworn in next week and faces a formidable in-tray. Years of chronic underfunding have left the armed forces suffering from low morale and equipment shortages so severe that Germany’s own parliamentary watchdog warned last year it could not meet its Nato commitments.
Ms Kramp-karrenbauer’s decision to take the job was seen as a bid to rescue hopes of becoming the next chancellor. Since her election as CDU leader, a series of missteps saw her approval ratings plummet, and she led the party to humiliating losses in elections to the EU Parliament.
It was also suggested she may have accepted the defence portfolio in order to block Jens Spahn, the ambitious health minister, from getting the job.
Mrs Merkel’s restive coalition partners lost no time in rounding on the U-turn. “I feel sorry for the armed forces,” the Social Democrats’ Johannes Kahrs said. “Breaking your word is not a good start for a defence minister.”
As chairman of the influential budget committee, Mr Kahrs could prove a thorn in Ms Kramp-karrenbauer’s side.
Opinion was divided as to what was behind Mrs Merkel’s decision, with suggestions it could be a signal that she is contemplating stepping down early.
Ms Kramp-karrenbauer is not an MP, but as a cabinet minister she could take over as chancellor.
Others said Mrs Merkel may have handed her former protégé a poisoned chalice. Earlier this year reports – swiftly denied – hinted relations between them had soured after Ms Kramp-karrenbauer seemed to be trying to manoeuvre Mrs Merkel into quitting early.
Following bouts of shaking and concerns over her fitness, Mrs Merkel’s chief of staff, Helge Braun, insisted to Reuters yesterday that the chancellor was “in good health” and on track to serve her full term through to 2021.