Eddy about a visit by Olaf Scholz to the Defense Committee. FDP politicians are said to have left the meeting early because Scholz avoided questions from MPs. The FDP suddenly sees it very differently – and apologizes for the impression it gave.
The questioning of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) before the Defense Committee of the Bundestag revealed tensions within the traffic light coalition – and now also personnel consequences. Faber announced on Twitter that he would make his post available.
“Today’s Defense Committee comment was inappropriate and underestimated the seriousness of the situation. I apologize for this and will offer my group to step down from my post as spokesman at its next meeting on Tuesday,” Faber wrote on Twitter.
Faber and several parliamentary group colleagues left the meeting on Friday out of dissatisfaction with the Chancellor’s answers. “Unfortunately, many answers were not given,” wrote Faber on Twitter. There was also clear criticism from the Union faction.
The Chancellor had the opportunity in the committee to “declare himself on Ukraine,” wrote Faber on Twitter. “I hope that we can catch up on this.”
The ARD told Faber: “Today we had the Federal Chancellor as a guest from 8 to 9 in the Defense Committee. I think he really had a chance here to explain the German government’s position on supporting Ukraine. He was also asked a lot of questions. Unfortunately, many of these questions were not answered either. That is why we, as Free Democrats, decided shortly after 9 that we are now leaving the session.”
A few hours later, however, Faber suddenly rowed back. The “Bild” newspaper quoted from a communication by Faber: “I am very sorry that a different impression was created, which I hereby firmly reject. Due to follow-up appointments, the members of my group gradually had to leave the committee meeting.”
Faber previously wrote in response to the tweet of a “Bild” reporter who reported on the scandal: “After the end of the session, my colleagues and I left the committee meeting today. That’s why nobody feels ‘cheated’ and nobody has given a protest note. By the way, no objects were thrown either.”
Scholz was invited by committee chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) in April to explain his Ukraine policy and answer questions from MPs. Following the incident, she only wrote on Twitter: “I am pleased that the Federal Chancellor accepted my invitation and came to the Defense Committee today. Not all questions can be answered in one hour, but it was a constructive exchange, more will follow.”
At the end of the meeting, Strack-Zimmermann and Scholz spoke to each other in front of the door – then the Chancellor left the event without a statement to the waiting press.
According to ZDF information, the FDP parliamentary group board met at short notice on Friday because of the incident.
