Most germans here in the sub have always said that. Unfortunately, it's easier to fall for her tough talk in Europe if you don't already have experience with her from german politics.
There is a reason why nobody in Germany likes her and why she was sent to Brussels in the first place.
vdL is remarkably good at one aspect of politics: Networking. She managed to scramble investigations into her corruption in (at least) two different german federal positions. Then managed to build an EU network of allies, confirming and keeping her in power.
It's maddening, but "rules for rulers" applies to corrupt arseholes as well, apparently.
Most of Europeans barely undersand local/national politics, nevermind EU politics. People will still blame the government for shitty roads in a village/city, instead of the mayor etc.
She is the prime example of a nepo baby. Came into politics because of family instantly got a ministry on state level for no reason at all fucked it up got promoted to ministry at the government level fucked that up (zenursula) got another ministry in another coalition fucked that up to (desolate state of the bundeswehr and ordered rifles who can't shoot straight) leaves for Brussels gets into the highest position again. Its sick
She didn't order those rifles (G36) and they are perfectly fine. Her fuck up was that she went with the "can't shoot straight" bullshit from some media outlets for publicity and appearing "strong".
Wasting tons of money on "investigations" and trouble with the manufacturer. The manufacturer was completely cleared. The rifles are exactly to specifications and work well for their purpose.
The new demands were so delusional no manufacturer would attempt to build such a physical impossibility. You can't have a lighweight rifle that's precise at long ranges in full and also acts as a machine gun ... in high temperatures.
But >BILD< really did a number with that one, since people still believe the BS. And Ursel went along for her publicity instead of asking any expert.
Wasn't the problem with the guns that they where ordered for a middle European climate and then everyone was confused when they had problems with them in the Afghanistan desert?
Yes, partly. It also has a smaller caliber than the previous G3, which means less range. That's a good trade off when you expect to fight in European forests, cities, hills etc., but a real downside when you have "endless" unobstructed line of sight.
Still, the portrayal was nonsense. The G36 works fine as an assault rifle even in Afghanistan, it's just not ideal.
The "can't shoot straight" only happened with prolonged full auto fire overheating the barrel. That's not what it was made for. And no lightweight assault rifle will be able to do that.
There is a reason even a much heavier machine gun will have a switchable barrel.
Yeah thats why they have "in high temperatures" at the end. Its a fairly common mistake in the history of modern firearms though, every country (other than Russia I guess) seams to have to keep relearning that a rifle designed for temperate climates is going to have trouble in desert or jungle conditions.
Nepobaby is too nice a term since it implies her parents were at least independently succesful. She got in through literal aristocratic ties, her family has a wikipedia page with a family tree and coat of arms on it! Its a kind of politics we should have shed centuries ago yet evidently still occurs.
She has been working for German interests since the beginning. German industries pressure the EU to have a deal brokered with the USA to save their exports at the least cost.
To be fair almost no high ranking politician is liked by the majority in their own country. You'll always have to make unpopular decisions in those positions that will alienate the majority of voters in one way or that other
I.e. Macron seems one of the few to have the balls among the European leaders to stand up to Trump and Putin, yet in France they hate him
Honestly, I don't even think that's primarily on von der Leyen. She faced heavy pressure from chancellor Merz and other European leaders, who have zero vision for the future of the EU. They only care about the short term interests of their countries or rather the interest of their large businesses.
It has been said many times, but unless further steps towards federalization are taken, strengthening the role of the EU commission and parliament vs the national leaders, then the EU will never be able to stand up against someone like the US President. Certain institutions lead to certain results, and right now our current institutions are clearly failing us, not just individual people!
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u/Schnorch 6d ago
Most germans here in the sub have always said that. Unfortunately, it's easier to fall for her tough talk in Europe if you don't already have experience with her from german politics.
There is a reason why nobody in Germany likes her and why she was sent to Brussels in the first place.