German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under fire from lawmakers from across the political spectrum — including his own foreign minister — for refusing to approve a further €3 billion in military aid for Ukraine unless it is funded with additional borrowing, APA reports quoting Euronews.
Speaking on national television earlier this week, Germany's beleaguered leader said he would only agree to the military aid package if new debt was issued to finance it, rather than cuts to social spending.
The additional cash, which would supplement €4 billion of aid for Kyiv already committed for 2025 in a provisional budget, would mainly fund weapons for Ukraine's air defence.
Opposition politicians and even Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have criticised Scholz's stance — either directly or indirectly — and accused him of electioneering.
"Germany as a whole isn't currently seen as a driving force for peace policy in Europe, and honestly that pains me," Baerbock, a leading Greens lawmaker, told Politico in an interview on Friday.
“Even now, during the election campaign, some prioritize a national perspective — or how to quickly gain a few votes in the parliamentary election — rather than taking real responsibility for securing Europe’s peace and freedom," added Baerbock, without mentioning Scholz by name.
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