German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has emphasized the need for a leading role in the defense policy of the NATO alliance, just days before the NATO summit in the Hague. He emphasized that Germany must be a role model, prepared to lead and that it is up to the country to take the necessary steps for its security and to maintain the NATO alliance.
Wadephul expressed confidence that the heads of state and government of the NATO member states will agree to increase their defense and infrastructure expenditures to five percent. The summit is scheduled to take place next week in the Hague.
Moreover, the foreign minister called on the federal government and the parties of the ruling coalition to more aggressively promote the new course in defense policy: “We must talk much more about our security. Now begins the second phase of the times of change. We should clearly tell the citizens that without a large investment program in our defense, Germany and Europe will not be secure in the future.”
This includes more personnel in the German military, as well as a significant strengthening of the civil defense. “That is a large mediation task for us in the government” said Wadephul. The foreign minister had previously backed the demand of US President Donald Trump to increase defense spending to five percent, which would currently account for almost half of the federal budget.
Wadephul had not expected to be in the position of a crisis diplomat so soon after taking office. “In the form, I did not see that coming. But when you are confronted with such a dramatic situation, there is no time for looking back” he said, looking at the war between Israel and Iran in the “Spiegel”.
Wadephul, who is 62 years old, has made a conscious effort to balance his ministerial duties with his private life. “That is more difficult now, but my family life is very important to me. So, for example, I try to visit the weekend market in my hometown or attend theater performances in Hamburg with my wife” he said.
Wadephul is married and the father of three children and he lives with his wife in Molfsee, near Kiel, in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. He has been in office since the beginning of May, the first CDU politician to hold the top position at the Foreign Office since 1966.
Together with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also a CDU member, he aims to make “politics from a single mold” in the field of foreign policy. “We cover different levels and complement each other. That is the normal thing in the world. The Chancellor trusts me and I trust him. That is an important prerequisite for me to do my job” said Wadephul.
“Most of our conversations go like this, with the Chancellor asking for my opinion” he said. When asked if he disagrees with the Chancellor, Wadephul replied, “I have neither had an occasion to disagree with Friedrich Merz in opposition nor since the government took office. I have, however, no problem in accepting that he is the head of government and has the right of direction.