German defence minister Christine Lambrecht quits after series of blunders | The Guardian |

Scholz is said to favour Lars Klingbeil, the leader of the Social Democrats - Scholz's own party - who comes from a military family, though the pressure he will be under to choose a woman makes this less likely.

Scholz is under pressure to make another significant step forward in German military aid to Ukraine by agreeing to deliver Leopard 2 battle tanks. Earlier this month, Germany agreed to provide 40 Marder armoured personnel carriers and a Patriot air defence missile battery to Kyiv.

Germany has given Ukraine substantial support in recent months, including howitzers, Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and the first of four IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems. But critics, some inside Germany's governing coalition, have long-complained of Scholz's perceived hesitancy to step up aid. Lambrecht was overshadowed on the issue by the chancellor, who made most major announcements.