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Politicians are campaigning for the reopening of the Rantzau barracks!
Neumünster is committed to reopening the Rantzau barracks. Political unity and strategic importance are the focus.
Politicians are campaigning for the reopening of the Rantzau barracks!
In Boostedt, a small town in Schleswig-Holstein, five parties, together with Mayor Hartmut König (CDU), have made concrete plans to reopen the former Rantzau barracks. This was recorded in a resolution that received support from the CDU, SPD, FDP, the Citizens' Parliamentary Group and the Alliance for Citizens. This initiative has been on everyone's lips again since the beginning of 2025 and culminated on the occasion of Veterans Day [kn-online.de](https://www.kn-online.de/lokales/neumuenster/plaene-fuer-ex-kaserne-boostedt-gemeinde-und-neumuenster-parteien-fuer-wied ereroeffnung-5WARZII2YVH6FJXJCPEZRC44PU.html?mst_prev_website=kn&mst_prev_page_id=R3HANYL7RVHFPN7XR5PEKM34XQ&mst_prev_link_type=article) reported.
The reason for the barracks' comeback is not only historical considerations, but also modern geopolitical realities. Politicians emphasize the responsibility for national defense in the European context. The SPD parliamentary group leader Frank Matthiesen got the discussion rolling after an event in February. The plans receive support from Hauke Hansen, the CDU district chairman, and FDP parliamentary group leader Peter Janetzky. Jürgen Joost from the citizens' group in particular emphasizes the economic importance of the barracks for the region. Mayor König sees the appropriate framework conditions in Boostedt and remains optimistic that the Federal Ministry of Defense will soon make a decision.
Valuable experiences and critical voices
The closure of the barracks in 2015 was met with strong criticism, including from former General Stephan Thomas, who described the decision as a big mistake. Thomas recently advocated the establishment of an army air defense force in Boostedt and criticized the abolition of this unit in view of the increasing threat from drones. Together with Kristian Klinck, the SPD defense expert in the Bundestag, who is also campaigning for the reopening, he is hoping for a decision this year. The two emphasize the support of the community, as building the barracks would take at least five years unless “the whole thing is taken care of,” said Thomas, as dusseldorfnews.com states.
The Rantzau Barracks has a long history and was considered strategically valuable. Given the situation in Schleswig-Holstein, not far from Neumünster, their reactivation could also serve regional security. The need and interest to revitalize this military facility is there, and the discussion about it remains current as the barracks continue to come into the political spotlight.
A look into the past and the future
The Rantzau Barracks is not only a military location, but also part of a larger database that provides information about military locations in Germany. This online database is constantly being expanded and documents the structural changes in the Bundeswehr since 1956. Anyone interested in military history or the future of site development will find valuable information here, as noted on deutsche-militaerstandorte-nach1945.de.
The ongoing discussions and political initiatives show a strong sign of unity in Boostedt and Neumünster. It remains to be seen to what extent these efforts will be reflected in the reopening of the Rantzau barracks and whether the Bundeswehr will soon find its place at this historic location again.