German defense minister under fire for army extremists

Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen promises reform, but her detractors aren’t satisfied.

Germany arrested two soldiers and a third man, as student, in a plot to attack politicians favoring friendly immigration and refugee policies. The trio planned to blame the attacks on Islamic extremists.

Von der Leyen criticized the military for allowing racism, hazing, and sexual assault.

She spoke out after a soldier was sexually assaulted in 2016 and after a general was allowed to keep his rank even after his doctoral thesis was found to be overtly racist.

She accused the top brass of “weak leadership,” and of tolerating negative behavior.

Most military units tend to be clannish and conservative. Hazing and sexual pressure are often considered normal in armies. The more modern idea that these are unacceptable is not fully acknowledged.

Germany’s army, the Bundeswehr, has a problematical relationship with its Nazi past. Soldiers must reconcile pride in their units with atrocities committed by some units during World War II.

Apparently Nazi paraphernalia was found during the arrests.

Von der Leyen wants to reform the “Traditionserlass” law, which absolves most soldiers of actions taken during World War II..

She said it allows some extremism and racism to seem acceptable.

Her detractors said that after three years on the job, she should have made changes already or should take responsibility now.

They also said that it is her job to support the military, not to condemn the entire quarter-million-soldier force for the actions of a minority.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office has twice issued statements defending Von der Leyen.