You are in a much better position to comment on VDL's competence than I am, but would I be right in thinking that the German Military, almost any military, would not have taken too kindly to being led by a women, and that she was a convenient scapegoat for failings in the military which have been there ever since WW2?

Also the military, and the senior civil service in the defence department, would not have taken two kindly to her relying on outside consultants for advice. They like to have a monopoly of Ministerial attention.

Of course she showed poor judgement in opening herself up to accusations of conflict of interest in appointing McKinsey's - the firm her son works for. But then again, without knowing anything about the particular consultancy services she asked for and the ability of various firms to provide them, McKinsey might have been the most qualified to provide them.

She may indeed be completely incompetent, but all I am saying is that a women in a male dominated ministry going outside the ministry for advice was asking for trouble. As a loyal acolyte of Merkel, she may also not have been too supportive of the military's requests for additional resources. Ultra right wing politicians and generals can never have too many military toys...

In any case I suspect Merkel handed her a poisoned chalice and kept her in position despite mounting opposition. She was probably over-due a move to another job and now has been rewarded for her loyalty. Her promotion creates a senior vacancy for Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and stepping stone for her expected ascension to Chancellorship. What's not to like from Merkel's perspective?

Index of Frank's Diaries