In this edition, the panel focuses on financial and budgetary questions related to the military dimension of the Zeitenwende. Ever since Chancellor Olaf Scholz first spoke of this sea change on February 27, 2022, the German government has been struggling to live up to its own expectations – let alone those of its Western allies and Ukrainians. Strategic objectives seem to be out of synch with industrial and financial realities in Germany and Europe. Our panelists discuss industrial needs, budgetary constraints, and the broader political context in the run-up to the elections for the European Parliament in June.
Speakers:
Bettina Hagedorn, Member of the Bundestag for the SPD and Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee
Hans Christoph Atzpodien, Chief Executive Officer of the German Security and Defense Industry Association (BDSV)
Christian Mölling, Head of the Center for Security and Defense, DGAP
Chair:
Henning Hoff, Executive Editor of Internationale Politik Quarterly