The leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Christian Lindner, has accused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of obstructing effective military support for Ukraine.
Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Lindner asserted that the FDP had “never hesitated” when it came to supporting Ukraine, implying that others in the coalition had been less committed.
Lindner claimed that Scholz had pushed for transferring three billion euros to Ukraine, while Lindner, pointing to Germany’s challenging financial situation, proposed a different form of aid—specifically, providing Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles to enhance its defensive capabilities against Russia. Scholz allegedly rejected this suggestion outright and instead informed Lindner of his dismissal from the government.
In a rare display of public discord within the government, Lindner said, “For the Free Democrats, support for Ukraine was never in question. Others have always hesitated. The Free Democrats never did.” He added that during a coalition committee meeting, Scholz had proposed an additional three billion euros for Ukraine. However, Lindner countered that financial aid would not make a real difference given the constraints. Instead, he advocated for sending the Taurus missile system, which he argued would directly assist Ukraine in defending itself.
The FDP’s stance on the issue aligns closely with that of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU). CDU leader Friedrich Merz had recently called for a more aggressive approach, suggesting that Germany should give Russia a 24-hour ultimatum to cease attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets, failing which Germany should provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine. These missiles have the range to strike targets within Russian territory, adding a strategic layer to Ukraine’s defense.
Lindner also urged Scholz to bring political clarity to the situation, stating, “Our country needs a government that does not just hold office but can act.” He emphasized that the right course of action would be to immediately call for a vote of confidence and new elections. “No one in a democracy should fear the voters,” Lindner remarked at the FDP headquarters in Berlin.
He further warned that the Chancellery should not become “a campaign headquarters,” and stressed that rapid new elections following the collapse of Scholz’s government were not just a matter of democratic principle but also vital for the country. “Our nation cannot afford to lose time,” Lindner added.
The collapse of the coalition between the FDP, the Social Democrats (SPD), and the Greens came to a head the previous evening. After Scholz dismissed Lindner, both Justice Minister Marco Buschmann and Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger, also from the FDP, tendered their resignations. In contrast, Transport Minister Volker Wissing announced that he would leave the FDP but continue in his position until new elections are held.