The elaborate public oath-taking ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the German Bundeswehr last November incurred costs exceeding €550,000, according to a parliamentary response from the Defense Ministry revealed by ntv. The event, held before the Chancellery, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers who accuse the government of excessive spending at a time of increasing military expenditure.
Christian Görke, a parliamentarian from the Left party, highlighted the disproportionate nature of the outlay, arguing that military spending has spiraled out of control since the government adopted a policy of unrestricted rearmament. He specifically questioned the necessity of such a lavish public display, stating that a similar ceremony could typically be held on a military base without incurring significant additional costs.
The disclosed breakdown reveals that assembly and dismantling accounted for the largest portion of expenses, totaling €432,265. Catering costs alone reached €48,501, including €32,500 for a reception held at the Reichstag building. Görke’s criticism centered on the €50,000 allocated specifically for catering, contrasting it with the financial struggles faced by many citizens.
Adding to the controversy, the installation of a visual screen to apparently offer a “closed-door” environment during the ceremony necessitated extensive and prolonged road closures, lasting an entire week. Crucially, the costs associated with these disruptive closures remain unaccounted for within the already substantial €550,000 figure.
The episode underscores rising concerns over the prioritization of symbolic gestures versus practical budgetary constraints within the Bundeswehr as the government continues its accelerated military build-up, prompting demands for greater transparency and accountability in defense spending.
