Bundeswehr: Henning Otte is to be the new military officer

The CDU politician Henning Otte is to become the new military officer of the Bundestag. “I am pleased about the trust that I will be proposed by the government coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD as a new military officer,” said Otte of the “Rheinische Post”. He would “contribute to the interests of the soldiers as part of the parliamentary army.” The election by the Bundestag should therefore take place on May 23.

Several media had previously reported on the personnel. On request, the SPD faction referred to a Union’s right to nomination. From circles from the Union faction it was said that there was an understanding of Otte. The Lower Saxony CDU state chairman Sebastian Lechner has already congratulated Otte.

The 56-year-old Niedersachse is said to follow Eva Högl (SPD). He is a reserve officer and was the deputy chairman of the Defense Committee, until the end of 2021 spokesman for the Union faction in the Bundestag.

The military officer is elected to five years by the members of the Bundestag and appointed by the President of the Bundestag. “The defense committee, the factions and as many MPs as according to the rules of procedure correspond to the strength of a parliamentary group are entitled to propose,” says the law on the military officer. Högl held the office since May 25, 2020.

According to the Basic Law Article 45b, the military officer helps the Bundestag with parliamentary control of the armed forces. He is considered a lawyer for the soldiers who can contact him at any time. The military officer can also make registered or unannounced visits to the group at any time. His core tasks include awakening the protection of the fundamental rights of the soldiers and the principles of inner leadership in the Bundeswehr. The military officer submits a report once a year.