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Bundeswehr posters in Bremen: Political graffiti causes a stir!
Unidentified people deface Bundeswehr advertising posters in Bremen with political slogans; Police are investigating.
Bundeswehr posters in Bremen: Political graffiti causes a stir!
A remarkable incident occurred in Bremen city center and the neighboring districts: Unknown people defaced numerous Bundeswehr advertising boards. How t online Reportedly, police officers came across the large-scale graffiti during a patrol on Saturday, September 6th. At least seven posters were decorated with provocative political slogans.
The affected districts are Bremen-Östliche Vorstadt, Mitte, Gröpelingen and Walle. The posters contain sayings such as “Only a dog goes to the federal government” and “Peace is red, revolutions end wars”. These messages indicate that the perpetrators do not agree with the Bundeswehr, according to a police spokesman. However, the exact motives of those responsible remain unclear, and the police are currently unable to assess whether there is a cluster of such incidents. Nevertheless, the spokesman makes it clear that such graffiti occurs “from time to time”.
Current debates about the Bundeswehr
The incident sheds light on the ongoing discussions surrounding the Bundeswehr. This is Germany's military force and currently has around 181,000 active soldiers. After the Second World War, the Federal Republic gained the sovereignty to arm itself in the event of defense in 1955. Part of the current debate emphasizes the need to increase troop numbers, not least due to the challenges of the Ukraine conflict. The federal government is planning to increase the size of its troops to 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers.
A survey from April 2024 showed that 79 percent of the population rated the current formation of the Bundeswehr negatively. In addition, current surveys show that 45 percent of people in Germany are in favor of reintroducing compulsory military service, a measure that would affect not only men but also women. These developments are motivated not least by the decisions to increase defense spending within NATO, where a target of five percent of the national gross domestic product by 2035 is being discussed.
Political and social implications
Reactions to the graffiti have been mixed both in politics and in society. On the one hand, the Bundeswehr sees itself as an indispensable institution that ensures the country's defense, while on the other hand, concerns are raised about military presence and spending. The discussion about the status of the Bundeswehr and the associated social and political implications is more topical than ever.
The incident in Bremen is a clear signal that questions about peace, the military and social responsibility continue to be controversial. It remains to be seen who will have the final say in this debate.