Eisenhütte Ortrand: Dispute over weapon production flamed the city

Eisenhütte Ortrand: Dispute over weapon production flamed the city

In the Ortrander Eisenhütte in Lausitz, the discussion about armaments production has intensified. The traditional company, which employs 250 people and is rooted in a municipality with only 2,000 inhabitants, has started to produce raw cast parts for ammunition. These components are exported to the Czech Republic, which causes mixed reactions in the city.

A resident, Hans Jörg Hauswald, commented concernly about the change of the company: "I think it's bad that the Eisenhütte Ortrand produces something like that. We once had peaceful productions, built stoves and breaks away for vehicles - and if that breaks away, then switching to weapons, I don't like." The majority of the members of the city council face similar concerns and have spoken out against weapons deliveries.

political reactions and resolutions

In a recent decision by the city council, there was a tie. The mayor Maik Bethke, who himself has a connection to the Eisenhütte, decided to contain the vote. He explained: "We agree to the content, but we cannot solve this topic of arms delivery, be it to Ukraine or elsewhere." In his opinion, this is a problem that must be treated at the federal level.

The mayor also emphasized that the decision of the assembly would not have any legal consequences for the iron hut. "As a city council, we cannot ban any company, other institutions are responsible for this," he continued. This shows the limitation of the municipality in relation to entrepreneurial decisions, even if the moral concerns are very pronounced.

The iron hut itself has not yet publicly commented on the allegations, but does not deny that the production of ammunition parts has been initiated. Managing Director Jens van Haß confirm to the "Lausitzer Rundschau" that they work with a Czech company that processes the raw castings to an armaments company.

Export is based on the individual permits granted by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, which points out that production is legally secured. However, the advancing discussions represent a challenge, both for the workforce and for the citizens of Ortrand, who may see the traditional values of the company at risk.

The situation in Ortrand illustrates how local companies can be moved in the large context of geopolitical activities. The concerns of the residents and the political discourse reflect a wider ethical dilemma that is evident in dealing with the armaments industry, especially in times of increased tensions at a global level. The citizens of Ortrand are now waiting for further developments and how those responsible will deal with the situation at both local and federal level.

For more information on this topic, the current reporting on www.rbb24.de can be viewed.