Dhey you can still experience it: a program that could make those who despise the talk show format ponder.
A concentrated moderator who formulates clear questions that cleverly refer to what has been said before and gives her guests the time to develop an idea, which they in turn do not punish with ramblings, at least hardly ever. Knowledgeable guests who hardly interrupt each other despite all differences of opinion. Feature films that fit organically into the dramaturgy of the show. These are all important ingredients of the enjoyable “Anne Will” program this Sunday evening. Perhaps all this is based on the fact that only four discussants exchange their points of view – so there is time for everyone to develop.
In terms of content, the question is why Germany is still not delivering armored personnel carriers and battle tanks to Ukraine. The basis of the debate in the studio is what Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says in a conversation with Will at the beginning. During the week, the general impression was that the Greens politician is also in favor of a delivery based on the findings of her recent trip to Ukraine, while the chancellor, who has just spoken to Putin on the phone, is still acting as a brake on this issue. There is also pressure on Olaf Scholz from the traffic light groups, especially from the ranks of the Greens and FDP.
Michael Müller’s speech about the “Sonderweg”
In conversation with Will, however, Baerbock is trying to dispel the impression of deep dissent within the federal government. She backs down to the line that only supplies that make a difference in combat make sense. For modern tanks like the Leopard 2, however, it can only be ensured in conjunction with NATO partners that the appropriate logistics are available. After all, the Ukrainians would have to be trained in how to operate them, and replenishment and repair capacities would have to be built up. Germany cannot do this alone, but no other country is willing to participate.
Not only Anne Will has the impression that Baerbock represents this position primarily out of coalition discipline. She follows up. And one can probably conclude from what the minister replies that internally the struggle is harder than ever. In any case, one of their last sentences is that it is the “current status” that Germany will not supply heavy tanks alone.
Michael Müller, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bundestag and a loyal supporter of Chancellor Scholz, may have considered at this point when it will be time for him to explain to “Anne Will” why the delivery of Leopard tanks is so essential, like the Panzerhaubitzen 2000 suddenly was. Maybe in four weeks. Today, however, he still represents the hesitant attitude of his boss with fervor, which he occasionally emphasizes by clenching his fists. Müller points out that the Americans, British and French are not supplying battle tanks to the Ukrainians either. If Germany decides otherwise, it would be going down a “special path”, warns the former Governing Mayor of Berlin.
In his circles, talk of a special path is a well-established history-pedagogical scarecrow, a kind of warning against going it alone on the wrong path into the abyss. Roderich Kiesewetter from the CDU already knows the trick and points out that a few weeks ago Spain wanted to deliver 40 Leopard 2 from its own stock to the Ukraine, but the federal government has not given permission for this. Not to mention that the US expressly leaves the Germans free to do as they see fit in this matter.