German Minister-Designate Sees Defense Spending Boost as Economic Boon for Germany
In a recent interview with the German business newspaper Handelsblatt, Olaf Lies, the designated Minister-President of the state of Lower Saxony, expressed optimism about the potential economic benefits of a planned increase in defense spending in Germany.
Lies, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), emphasized that the increased investment in defense would not only be a response to the US demand for a higher investment-to-GDP ratio, but also a necessary step towards an independent European defense policy.
“We will have to invest more, not because Donald Trump demands it, but because we need to develop an independent European defense policy” Lies said. “However, we must be careful not to promise more than we can deliver.”
The Minister-Designate also highlighted the potential benefits for his state, Lower Saxony, which he believes will play a crucial role in the logistics of a potential NATO operation in Europe. He expects significant investments in the region, including new infrastructure, bridges and ports, to support the Bundeswehr’s operations.
Lies sees the increased defense spending as a positive development for the society, creating not only new jobs in the defense industry but also good, tariff-based employment opportunities.
“We are in an industrial transformation and the defense industry helps to create good, tariff-based jobs” he said.
The planned boost in defense spending is expected to have a positive impact on the German economy and the Minister-Designate is hopeful that it will bring benefits to his state and the country as a whole.