Scholz’ Ukraine-Blockade: SPD-Innen verlieren Vertrauen!

Scholz' Ukraine-Blockade: SPD-Innen verlieren Vertrauen!

As criticism grows from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) over the alleged reluctance of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to push for additional support for Ukraine, worth three billion euros, before the federal election, a growing number of voices within the party are calling for a change in approach.

“My stance is: wars do not follow election schedules” said SPD’s budget and defense policy expert, Andreas Schwarz, to the Spiegel. If there is a majority among the “democratic forces in the Bundestag” for an additional aid package for Ukraine, it should be decided before the election.

Schwarz called for a parliamentary alliance, including the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), stating that “the Union should, however, clearly acknowledge taking on the over-budgeted expense of three billion euros.” As a rapporteur for the Defense Ministry’s budget and a substitute member of the Defense Committee, Schwarz has a deep understanding of the issue.

SPD’s defense policy expert, Kristian Klinck, told the Spiegel that only the combination of supporting Ukraine and diplomacy will bring a stable ceasefire closer. “I advise to put the aid package on the way” he said, adding that the decision should be made based on purely factual considerations, whether through an extraordinary budgetary allocation or the use of the credit made available by the G7 countries.

Green Party’s Sebastian Schäfer, a member of the Budget Committee and deputy chair of the committee on the special fund for the German Federal Armed Forces, stated to the news magazine: “The Chancellor and the SPD’s faction leader must urgently reevaluate their blocking stance on this crucial issue. Playing for time in this matter, in light of the situation in Ukraine, is simply irresponsible.