The "totally motivated" superminister

We had already requested the interview with the minister three months ago, but it only materialised last week. At the start of the interview, we can't help but remark that you can probably even get an audience with the Pope more quickly, whereupon the minister credibly assures us that her agenda is actually planned months in advance.

When we arrive at the Ministry of Defence, Yuriko Backes is in the process of examining the large-format, framed photos that are to be hung up in her more than spacious office after our interview. After all, you should feel good at work, especially if you spend most of the day there. The pictures show all sorts of military items, including the minister in military fatigues during a visit to the troops in Lithuania.