CDU/CSU chancellor candidate ready to increase defence spending to 2%

Lachet has given a rather militaristic interview to the Bild newspaper

According to EADaily, Armin Lachet, Chancellor candidate for the ruling Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union bloc in Germany, intends to increase defence spending if he comes to power.

“We are actively working with the French in Mali and we can always talk about increasing our responsibility”, –  Lachet said, adding that operations in which the German military is involved must have a UN mandate.

He also said that if he became German chancellor, he would increase defence spending to at least 2 per cent, thereby meeting NATO’s target. In addition, he expressed the view that Germany should participate more actively in international military missions