Ursula von der Leyen’s Troubled Tenure as German Defence Minister and Her Controversial Push for an EU Commissioner for Defence

Controversies and Criticisms Surrounding Ursula von der Leyen’s Tenure as German Defence Minister.

Ursula von der Leyen, who served as the German Defence Minister from 2013 to 2019 before becoming the President of the European Commission, has faced several controversies and criticisms throughout her tenure in the German Defence Ministry. Her leadership of the Bundeswehr (Germany’s military forces) was often scrutinized, as the ministry struggled with organizational, logistical, and procurement issues. These issues led to questions about her competence and judgment in the role, and later, these concerns resurfaced when she was chosen to lead the European Commission.

Underfunding and Readiness Issues of the Bundeswehr

One of the most persistent criticisms of von der Leyen’s time as Defence Minister was the poor state of the German military.

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Reports that surfaced during her tenure revealed serious deficiencies in the readiness of the Bundeswehr. For instance, in 2018, it was revealed that Germany’s military lacked fully operational tanks, helicopters, and planes.

Only a fraction of Germany’s military equipment was deemed ready for deployment. For example, out of 128 Eurofighter jets, only 39 were combat-ready, and out of 244 Leopard II tanks, only 105 were operational. Additionally, there were major gaps in the readiness of submarines, helicopters, and personnel.

Von der Leyen attributed these deficiencies to years of underfunding and neglect that predated her time in office.

However, her inability to quickly resolve these problems attracted heavy criticism from both political opponents and military experts. Her handling of the situation was seen as lacking urgency, and many felt that she was not doing enough to ensure that Germany could meet its NATO obligations and contribute adequately to European defence.

Scandals Related to Defence Contracts and Outsourcing

Another major controversy that plagued von der Leyen’s leadership was the so-called “consulting affair” (Berateraffäre). This scandal revolved around the German Defence Ministry’s use of external consultants, which led to accusations of cronyism and improper handling of defence contracts. During her tenure, the ministry spent hundreds of millions of euros on private consulting firms, such as McKinsey and Accenture, to advise on military modernization and restructuring projects.

Critics claimed that the ministry had awarded these contracts without proper oversight or competitive bidding, raising concerns about transparency and the possibility of favoritism.

The situation worsened when it was revealed that von der Leyen’s son had previously worked at McKinsey, although no direct evidence was provided linking his employment to the ministry’s contracts. Nevertheless, the perception of a conflict of interest undermined her credibility and raised questions about her decision-making.

A parliamentary committee was established to investigate the matter. While the committee did not find any conclusive evidence of illegal activity, it did criticize the chaotic management of the Defence Ministry under von der Leyen. It also noted that her reforms had resulted in an over-reliance on private consultants, who, in many cases, had more influence over the ministry’s policies than the military’s own leadership.

Accusations of Mismanagement and Lack of Military Expertise

Von der Leyen, a doctor by training and a politician with a background in social policy, was seen by some as lacking the expertise needed to manage a complex and deeply troubled ministry like defence.

Many of her critics argued that she struggled to comprehend the intricacies of military strategy, procurement, and logistics.

This perceived lack of military experience made her the target of intense criticism from within the ranks of the Bundeswehr and from political opponents, especially as her reforms seemed to yield little progress in addressing the systemic issues plaguing the armed forces.

Additionally, von der Leyen’s attempts to introduce reforms aimed at improving gender equality and addressing right-wing extremism within the military were met with resistance. While some lauded her efforts to modernise the Bundeswehr’s culture, others felt that these initiatives were distractions from the more pressing issue of military readiness and functionality.

Her focus on these aspects was seen by detractors as indicative of a politician more concerned with optics and public relations than with the actual operational needs of the armed forces.

The Controversial Appointment of Andrius Kubilius as European Commissioner for Defence and Space

Since becoming President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has continued to shape Europe’s defence policy, a central part of which is the establishment of the European Defence Fund and initiatives aimed at strengthening Europe’s military capabilities.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, who was originally suggested early on as being suitable for post, notably rejected suggestions that he should seek the position, underscoring the broader unease in some corners of Europe about how this role might be shaped and the complexities it could introduce into the Commission’s already fragmented defence policies.

In this context, speculation has arisen about her appointment of Andrius Kubilius to the newly created position of European Commissioner for Defence and Space, a role von der Leyen herself created.

Andrius Kubilius: A Controversial Choice?

Andrius Kubilius, a former Lithuanian Prime Minister and a notable figure within European politics, has a mixed record that raises questions about his suitability for the position. Kubilius is known for his strong pro-European and pro-NATO stance, and as a leading advocate for Baltic security and defence policy in the face of growing Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

However, while Kubilius has a strong reputation as a supporter of Ukraine and a critic of Russia, there are concerns about the wisdom of concentrating too much defence oversight in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly given ongoing tensions elsewhere.

Some diplomats have suggested this might unbalance EU foreign policy dynamics.

Lack of Military Experience

One of the primary concerns surrounding Kubilius’s potential appointment is his lack of direct military experience, a criticism that mirrors those directed at von der Leyen during her time as German Defence Minister. Kubilius has a background in economics and political leadership but, like von der Leyen, lacks the technical expertise typically associated with overseeing defence policy at the highest levels. Given the challenges Europe faces in building a cohesive and efficient defence policy, many critics argue that appointing someone without a deep understanding of military affairs may weaken Europe’s defence posture.

Kubilius, though seasoned in political matters, may struggle to navigate the complexities of defence procurement, military strategy, and the coordination of defence efforts among EU member states, all of which are crucial for the success of Europe’s defence ambitions.

This echoes the criticisms von der Leyen faced in Germany, where her reliance on consultants to guide her through the intricacies of military reform was seen as a sign of her inability to fully grasp the demands of the role.

Perception of Cronyism and Politicization of the Role

Critics of the appointment also argue that von der Leyen’s decision to create this role for Kubilius may be seen as a political maneuver, favoring a loyal ally rather than selecting someone based on merit or experience in defence policy. The creation of a new European Commissioner for Defence and Space seems tailor-made for Kubilius, leading some to believe that it may be more about political convenience than addressing Europe’s actual defence needs.

Von der Leyen has already faced accusations of cronyism during her time as Germany’s Defence Minister, so the decision to elevate Kubilius to this new role could be seen as a continuation of this pattern. Such perceptions could further undermine public confidence in the EU’s ability to handle defence matters competently and impartially.

Conflicts over the Militarization of Space

Another significant aspect of this new role is the inclusion of “space” in the portfolio. This move reflects Europe’s increasing interest in the militarization of space, particularly as countries like the United States and China have begun to expand their military capabilities beyond Earth. However, the appointment of Kubilius, a politician with a strong ideological and political agenda, to oversee Europe’s burgeoning space defence program raises concerns about the potential politicisation of the process.

Space is an area of significant technological and geopolitical competition, and Europe’s approach to space defence needs to be carefully calibrated to avoid unnecessary escalation or conflict with other global powers. Some experts fear that Kubilius’s hawkish stance on Russia and his confrontational approach to foreign policy may not be the right fit for such a delicate and complex role.

The Wisdom of von der Leyen’s Decision

Given the controversies and challenges surrounding von der Leyen’s tenure as German Defence Minister, one might question the wisdom of her decision to appoint Andrius Kubilius as European Commissioner for Defence and Space. While Kubilius is a respected politician with a strong commitment to European unity and security, his lack of military expertise and the political optics of the appointment could undermine the effectiveness of the role.

Von der Leyen’s own leadership of the European Commission has been marked by a focus on strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities, and she may view Kubilius as an ally who shares her vision for a stronger, more cohesive European defence infrastructure. However, the criticisms surrounding his appointment—particularly in terms of experience, perceived cronyism, and his suitability to manage the complex dynamics of space defence—could lead to significant challenges down the road.

Ultimately, while the idea of a European Commissioner for Defence and Space may be a bold step toward a more integrated European defence policy, the execution of this vision will be key. Both von der Leyen and Kubilius will need to navigate these criticisms carefully if they are to build a defence strategy that garners both political and public support across Europe.