Germany’s armed forces, or Bundeswehr, marked the 70th anniversary since their founding on Wednesday with a solemn oath-taking ceremony in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius attended the ceremony, along with 280 recruits.
Steinmeier praised the Bundeswehr, which he said was the army of Germany’s democracy, and emphasized the importance of credible military deterrence in view of the threat posed by Russia.
President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner said it was important that the anniversary was celebrated in and around the Reichstag building, which houses the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament.
“There could hardly be a more suitable place for the solemn oath of the new recruits – public, visible, at the heart of our society and democracy. This is where our Bundeswehr belongs,” she told dpa ahead of the ceremony.
She described the armed forces as “the airbag” of German democracy, saying that they protect Germans “when it matters.”
Klöckner stressed that the Bundeswehr serves democracy. “It is a parliamentary army, firmly embedded in our fundamental values.”
In a world that has become louder and more turbulent, its importance is growing, she said. “We in parliament also stand shoulder to shoulder with all those who wear uniform and defend our security and our freedom – ultimately with their lives.”
On November 12, 1955, the newly appointed defence minister Theodor Blank presented the first volunteers of the new German armed forces with their certificates of appointment at the Ermekeil barracks in the city of Bonn, then the capital of West Germany.
German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, speaks at the ceremonial pledge as a central event to mark the 70th anniversary of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) at the Bundesforum. On 12 November 1955, the then Minister of Defense, Blank, presented the first 101 volunteers with their certificates of appointment to mark the founding of the Bundeswehr. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks at the ceremonial pledge as a central event to mark the 70th anniversary of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) at the Bundesforum. On 12 November 1955, the then Minister of Defense, Blank, presented the first 101 volunteers with their certificates of appointment to mark the founding of the Bundeswehr. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Bundeswehr recruits march between the German Bundestag and the Federal Chancellery during the ceremonial pledge as a central event to mark the 70th anniversary of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) at the Bundesforum. On 12 November 1955, the then Minister of Defense, Blank, presented the first 101 volunteers with their certificates of appointment to mark the founding of the Bundeswehr. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Bundeswehr recruits march between the German Bundestag and the Federal Chancellery during the ceremonial pledge as a central event to mark the 70th anniversary of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) at the Bundesforum. On 12 November 1955, the then Minister of Defense, Blank, presented the first 101 volunteers with their certificates of appointment to mark the founding of the Bundeswehr. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa