Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has expressed his confidence in his widely criticized Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD).

When asked in Berlin on Wednesday whether Lambrecht would continue to enjoy the Chancellor's trust, Deputy Government Spokesman Wolfgang Büchner replied: "Yes, of course." He added: "The Chancellor works well and trustingly with all his cabinet colleagues, and that also applies to the minister I spoke to."

When asked, Büchner made it clear that the chancellor was sticking to his statement in December that he considered Lambrecht a "first-class defense minister". "That hasn't changed," said the spokesman.

A video with New Year's greetings from the minister, which was perceived as unfortunate, had increased the pressure on Lambrecht in the past few days. Lambrecht takes stock of the year 2022, which was shaped by the war in Ukraine, but her words are repeatedly lost in the whistling of New Year's rockets and exploding firecrackers.

Opposition politicians questioned her suitability and called for her resignation (read more here). It is awaited with interest whether and how the SPD will position itself with the minister at the annual meeting of its parliamentary group in the coming week.