Foreign Minister sees German leadership role in NATO

Berlin – A few days before the NATO summit in The Hague, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) called for Germany to play a leading role in the alliance's defense policy. "Germany must set an example; we must be prepared to lead. It is up to us to do what is necessary for our security and to keep NATO together," the CDU politician told "Spiegel." Wadephul expressed confidence that the heads of state and government of the NATO states will agree to increase their spending on defense and defense-related infrastructure to five percent. The summit will take place next week in The Hague. Wadephul also called on the German government and the parties in the governing coalition to more aggressively represent the new course in defense policy: "We need to talk much more about our security. Phase two of this turning point is now beginning. We should tell citizens clearly that without a major investment program in our defense, Germany and Europe will not be secure in the future." This includes more personnel in the Bundeswehr, but also a significant strengthening of civil defense. "This is a major mediation task for us in the government," said Wadephul. The foreign minister was the first member of the German government to support US President Donald Trump's call to increase defense spending to five percent, which would currently represent almost half of the federal budget. Wadephul did not expect to be deployed as a crisis diplomat so soon after taking office. "I didn't see it coming in this form. But when you're confronted with such a dramatic situation, there's no time for reflection," the CDU politician told Der Spiegel, referring to the war between Israel and Iran. Wadephul says he makes sure to have time for private matters alongside his ministerial duties. "That's become more difficult, but my family life is very important to me. For example, I try to continue visiting the weekend market in my hometown or theater performances in Hamburg with my wife," he said. Wadephul is married and the father of three children; he lives with his wife in Molfsee near Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. The 62-year-old has been in office since the beginning of May, the first CDU party member to head the Foreign Office since 1966. He wants to pursue "a unified policy" with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also a CDU member, in the field of foreign policy. "We operate on different levels and complement each other. That's the most normal thing in the world. The Chancellor trusts me, and I trust him. That's an important prerequisite for me to be able to do my job," said Wadephul. "The vast majority of our discussions involve the Chancellor asking for my opinion," he said. Asked whether he disagreed with the Chancellor, Wadephul said: "Neither during his time in opposition nor since taking over the government have I had reason to strongly disagree with Friedrich Merz. But I also have no problem accepting that he is the head of government and has the authority to set guidelines."