Two months after taking office, the German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius (SPD), began a remodeling at the top of the armed forces, starting with its inspector general, General Eberhard Zorn. The most senior general in the Bundeswehr was appointed in 2018 by then Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
Pistorius has not explained the reasons for Zorn's replacement, but a statement from the military man last fall put him in the spotlight. In an interview with the weekly Focus, the general expressed concern that the Russians would open a second front and attack more countries. "Kaliningrad, the Baltic Sea, the Finnish border, Georgia, Moldova... There are many possibilities," Zorn said.
His explanation at the time was that Russia has the necessary capacity to open new fronts, because although about 60% of its ground forces are engaged in the war in Ukraine, the ground forces and especially the Russian navy and air force still have capabilities. not committed. Zorn added that if President Vladimir Putin ordered a general mobilization, "he would not have personnel problems either."
The general's statements did not go unnoticed on the other side of the Atlantic and in an unusual tone found the response of US Lieutenant General (retired) Ben Hodges: "Amazingly poor analysis of Russian capabilities, which unfortunately reflects much of the thinking of the German elite," Hodges chided Germany's top military officer via Twitter.
Zorn's replacement is expected to be Division Lieutenant General Carsten Breuer, better known as the "Crown General", as he was the commander chosen to coordinate the crisis cabinet created in the Chancellery during the pandemic. According to ministerial circles, Breuer's appointment will take place "in the near future."
The Inspector General is the superior of all the armed forces and is also involved in planning the defense policy of the German Government.
Pistorius would also have planned another change in his Ministry. Nils Hilmer, the minister's trusted man, will be the new Secretary of State. In return, the current Secretary of State, Margaretha Sudhof, will have to leave her post. Sudhof had been appointed secretary of state under Pistorius's predecessor, Christine Lambrecht.
The third Secretary of State, Benedikt Zimmer, will remain in office, at least for the time being. He is responsible for acquisitions, which means that he also manages the package of 100,000 million euros with which the Bundeswehr will be renewed.
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