Criticism for Germany's Scholz

Berlin is witnessing a growing divide over the planned deployment of American longer-range missiles on German soil, particularly among members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD). Rolf Mützenich, the SPD faction leader in the Bundestag, expressed concerns that such weapons may not enhance Germany's security and could escalate tensions with Russia. He warned that the deployment could lead to miscalculations in an already volatile geopolitical landscape, especially in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats of a retaliatory response. The SPD's apprehensions are echoed by senior lawmakers who are pushing for a parliamentary debate in September to address the implications of the missile deployment. This discussion comes after an agreement reached during July's NATO summit, where the U.S. announced plans for "episodic deployments" of missiles starting in 2026. Jasper Wieck, Germany's defense ministry political director, characterized the decision as a necessary response to escalating threats over the past decade. Mützenich raised critical questions about Germany's control over the use of these weapons, emphasizing the potential dangers associated with them. Fellow SPD lawmaker Falko Drossmann, a former air force officer, described the missiles as "terrible weapons systems," underscoring the party's internal conflict regarding military escalation. As regional elections approach in three eastern German states, where pro-Russian sentiments are strong, opposition to the missile deployment is expected to intensify, particularly from parties like the far-right Alternative for Germany and the populist Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht.