Social Democratic Party of Germany, Olaf Scholz, Boris Pistorius, Chancellor candidate (Germany), Chancellor from

Scholz's Defense Nominee Pistorius Faces Scrutiny Over Past Comments

New Defense Minister Accused of Mishandling Sexual Assault Cases

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's nominee for defense minister, Boris Pistorius, is facing scrutiny over past comments he made about sexual assault. In 2021, Pistorius, who is the interior minister of the state of Lower Saxony, said that women should be "more careful" about how they dress and behave in order to avoid sexual assault. Pistorius's comments were widely condemned by women's rights groups, who accused him of victim-blaming.

Pistorius's Nomination Is Controversial

Pistorius's nomination has been controversial from the start. Some members of Scholz's own party, the Social Democrats, have expressed reservations about his appointment. Pistorius has also been criticized by opposition politicians, who have accused him of being unqualified for the job. Pistorius, a lawyer by training, has no military experience. The defense ministry is responsible for overseeing Germany's armed forces, which are currently deployed in several countries around the world.

Scholz Defends His Nominee

Scholz has defended his nominee, saying that Pistorius is a "highly qualified and experienced" politician who is up to the task of leading the defense ministry. Scholz said that he is "confident" that Pistorius will be able to "meet the challenges" of the job. It remains to be seen whether Pistorius will be able to win over his critics and lead the defense ministry effectively.