Though he has been in office for just one month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is the most popular politician in Germany. When Pistorius stepped into office on January 19, most of the nation knew little about him. His sudden rise shows that Germans are seeking anything that resembles strong leadership.

“Within a few weeks, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius conquers the world stage, with a clear edge and open words. He now also appears in the politicians’ rankings—and immediately takes the top spot,” n-TV.de wrote on February 21.

Political scientist Gero Neugebauer told Deutsche Welle: “He is demanding but not a show-off, and often meets personally with the soldiers, which has earned him a reputation as someone who cares.” After his appearance at the Munich Security Conference, the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung reported that Pistorius was being touted as a potential leader.

The last three defense ministers lost their jobs due to unpopularity. Pistorius is changing the department’s reputation; once again, Germans feel pride in their military leadership. Pistorius has promised Ukraine tanks, pledged to be at its side until it wins the war, and is working diligently to increase Germany’s own military abilities.

After less than two weeks in office, Pistorius told Süddeutsche Zeitung that the special military fund of €100 billion (us$108 billion) is too little. While visiting the tank battalion that plans to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Pistorius said, “We need more tanks for our own army.” When asked how the German government would fund the project, Pistorius said, “Frankly, I don’t care.”

That’s the kind of leadership Germany wants: a man who gets things done—no matter the cost. Pistorius is improving Germany’s military reputation worldwide and is celebrated for it at home.

But so far, Pistorius has only made big promises. Will he act on those promises?

Many believe the European Union as a whole lacks men who want to get things done. The Bible, however, reveals that Europe will get such leaders and that it will transform Europe into a formidable military power (Revelation 13 and 17) and empire. Pistorius’s sudden rise shows that the appetite for strong leadership exists. As our free booklet Germany and the Holy Roman Empire explains, Germany is prophesied to be at the heart of this empire (Isaiah 10:5).

For generations, Germans have looked upon their military with shame. Virtually no one wanted it to be strong. But crises have changed that view, and a rising new leadership could quickly change its military capabilities. Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained this prophesied sudden transformation in “Ukraine Is Hastening a New Germany.” Prophecies that seemed unlikely are being fulfilled step by step.