Following months of criticism, the German defence minister resigns.

 

Christine Lambrecht has come under fire for neglecting to modernise the military and for Berlin's attitude to the conflict in the Ukraine.

German defence minister, who faced criticism for the military's rapid modernization programme and for Berlin's hesitant approach to the conflict in Ukraine, has resigned.

In a written statement released on Monday, Christine Lambrecht said that "months of media attention on my person" had prevented an objective discussion of the military and Germany's security strategy.

"Many employees in my department and the troops' great job must stand in the foreground," she remarked.

Recent pressure on Lambrecht increased as a result of an unfortunate New Year's video message.

It was uploaded to Instagram and showed Lambrecht speaking inaudibly as New Year's Eve revellers let off fireworks behind her on a Berlin street.

In the centre of Europe, a war is waging, she declared. And along with that, I was able to make a lot of unique impressions and meet a lot of fascinating, wonderful individuals, which was tied to that for me.

Lambrecht's retirement was accepted, according to a spokesman for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and a replacement will be named soon.

Since Scholz was appointed chancellor in December 2021, the 57-year-old has held the position. Both belong to the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Reporting for Al Jazeera from Berlin, Dominic Kane said Lambrecht's retirement was a "headache" for the chancellor and that the SDP would probably choose her replacement.

In terms of the conflict in Ukraine and Germany's involvement there, Kane stated, "That individual is going to have to get up to speed rather rapidly."