The Green Party is demanding that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) clarify the circumstances surrounding the canceled multi-billion euro project to purchase six frigates. According to Green MP Sebastian Schäfer, failure to properly manage projects, like the F126 frigate, undermines the ambitious “Zeitenwende” (turning point) initiative. Schäfer points out that if the government is simultaneously cutting expenses in the national budget, it is also allowing billions to be spent pointlessly.
Şäfer criticized the government approach, contrasting austerity with military spending. He claimed that while Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) are planning to cut a €25 monthly subsidy for impoverished children, the defense ministry is spending €2.5 billion on projects with uncertain outcomes-“and nobody is taking responsibility for it.” He added that this duality “undermines public support for the necessary expenditure on our security.”
Furthermore, the cancellation of the project may lead to compensation claims. The affected Dutch shipyard, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS), has engaged the long-time CSU politician and attorney Peter Gauweiler regarding the case.
