Henning Otte Nominated as New Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces

The Bundestag is set to welcome Henning Otte, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), as the new Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces. This position, which serves as an advocate for soldiers, aims to enhance the parliamentary oversight of the military. Otte's appointment follows the tenure of Eva Högl from the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Otte expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the governing coalition comprising the CDU/CSU and SPD. He emphasized his commitment to representing the interests of military personnel within the framework of a parliamentary army, highlighting the importance of addressing the concerns and needs of soldiers.

The official election for Otte is scheduled to take place on May 23. His nomination has garnered attention across various media outlets, and the SPD has acknowledged the Union's right to propose candidates for this role. Sources within the CDU have confirmed a consensus around Otte's nomination, with notable congratulations from the Lower Saxony CDU chairman, Sebastian Lechner.

At 56 years old, Otte brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as a reserve officer and as the deputy chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag. Until late 2021, he also held the position of defense policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces is elected for a five-year term by members of the Bundestag and is appointed by the President of the Bundestag. According to the law governing this role, the Defense Committee, political factions, and a number of representatives proportional to the faction's strength are eligible to propose candidates.

Otte will succeed Eva Högl, who has held the position since May 25, 2020. The responsibilities of the Parliamentary Commissioner are underscored in Article 45b of the Basic Law, which mandates the role to assist the Bundestag in its oversight of the armed forces. The Commissioner serves as an advocate for soldiers, allowing them to voice their concerns directly. Additionally, the Commissioner can conduct both scheduled and unscheduled visits to military facilities.

A core responsibility of the Commissioner includes ensuring the protection of soldiers' fundamental rights and upholding the principles of internal leadership within the Bundeswehr. An annual report is submitted by the Commissioner, detailing the state of the armed forces and any issues that require attention.