Scholz Accepts Lambrecht's Resignation as Defense Minister

BERLIN (Sputnik) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and will present a new candidate in a timely manner, Berlin said.

"The chancellor has accepted the resignation and will nominate a new candidate in due course," spokeswoman of the Federal Government Christiane Hoffmann told a daily news briefing in Berlin.

Scholz respects Lambrecht’s decision to stand down and is grateful for her service, Hoffmann added.

Defense Ministry spokesman Christian Thiels told reporters that Lambrecht would continue carrying out her duties until a replacement was found. Lambrecht was to oversee the Friday meeting of NATO allies at the Ramstein air base.

Earlier on Monday, German media reported that Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had formally submitted her resignation from the government position.

The minister formally appealed to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and asked for her resignation, the news agency said, adding that the relevant document was handed over earlier in the day.

“Today I asked the chancellor to dismiss me from the office of federal minister of defense,” Lambrecht stated.

Minister steps down after much-criticized New Year's Eve message on social media. In the message, she mentioned the Ukrainian conflict with the sound of fireworks in the background.

“The months-long media focus on my person hardly allows for objective reporting and discussion about servicemen and women … and security policy decisions in the interest of the citizens of Germany,” she added.

Lambrecht's successor is expected to be announced on Tuesday, German newspaper reported, citing a source in the government.

The source clarified that the announcement of the successor was postponed until the next day "out of respect" for Lambrecht's decision to resign.