A recent public oath-taking ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) has drawn criticism after it emerged that the event cost taxpayers over €550,000. The figure, revealed in a response from the Federal Ministry of Defence to a query from Left Party parliamentarian Christian Görke, has sparked accusations of excessive spending against the backdrop of rapidly increasing military expenditures.
The ceremony, held in front of the Chancellor’s Office on November 12th, was characterized by significant costs, with the Ministry’s figures indicating €432,265 allocated to setup and dismantling alone. Further expenses included €48,501 for catering, encompassing a reception in the Reichstag building totaling €32,500. A further €50,000 was budgeted purely for food and beverages.
Görke sharply criticized the allocation of funds, arguing that the escalating military spending – often described as a “flat rate” for armament increases – is spiraling out of control. “Since the declaration of an unlimited budget for rearmament, the expenditures for the Bundeswehr are breaking all dams” he stated. He pointed to the exorbitant cost of an event that traditionally could be conducted within a military barracks at minimal additional expense.
Beyond the direct costs of the ceremony, concerns were raised about the security measures employed. Görke alleges that a visual barrier was erected, ostensibly to provide a more exclusive atmosphere, leading to extensive and prolonged road closures lasting a full week. Crucially, these associated costs for the necessary security cordons and traffic management appear to be excluded from the reported €550,000 figure, potentially inflating the overall financial burden on the state. The incident has amplified calls for greater scrutiny and accountability regarding the Bundeswehr’s rapidly expanding budget and the perceived disconnect between such expenditures and the economic realities faced by ordinary citizens.