German media: German general elected to NATO's highest military position after 25 years

【Global Times Special Correspondent in Germany, Aoki】“The highest-ranking military officer in Germany will begin his career in NATO.” According to a report by the German newspaper Bild on the 19th, the Director of the German Federal Defense Forces, Carsten Breuer, was elected as the next Chairman of the NATO Military Committee at the NATO Military Committee meeting held in Copenhagen that day. He will take office in July next year, succeeding Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavò Dragone. This means that a German will hold this important NATO position again after 25 years.

According to the German news agency DPA, regarding Breuer's election, German Chancellor Merz stated that Germany is taking on responsibilities within the alliance during a challenging time, “We appreciate our allies' trust in us.” Before becoming the Director, Breuer served as the commander of the Federal Defense Forces' Homeland Security Forces. German Defense Minister Pistorius praised Breuer's strategic vision, stating that he played a key role in the restructuring of the German Federal Defense Forces, “Now, he will devote all his energy and experience to NATO, an organization facing significant historical challenges.” Pistorius noted that for NATO, the threats from outside, especially from Russia, are increasing, while European partners are focusing more on their own security and conventional deterrence, and the United States is expanding its focus to other regions.

Breuer defeated Canadian Chief of Defense Staff Jennie Carignan in the election; had she been elected, she would have been the first woman to serve as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. DPA reported that the Chairman of the Military Committee, along with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, is considered one of the most influential military figures in NATO. He is the most important military advisor to the NATO Secretary General and serves as a bridge for the chiefs of defense of NATO member countries to jointly submit recommendations to the political decision-making bodies.      

The last German to hold this position was Harald Kujat, who was elected as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee in 2001 and took office the following year. German television station ARD reported that Breuer's election is also seen by NATO as recognition of Germany's significant contributions to enhancing European defense capabilities in recent times. Data shows that Germany currently ranks first in European defense spending, at approximately 125 billion euros. Since the beginning of this year, the number of senior positions held by Germany in the NATO military command structure has also surpassed that of the United States.