Almost two years have passed since the “flood of the century” that shocked Germany. At that time, Angela Merkel, still Chancellor, visited the areas particularly affected by the flood. And she promised people, “We won’t forget you any time soon.”
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) returned on Tuesday to one of the places hardest hit by the 2021 flood disaster. Accompanied by the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst (CDU), she got an idea of the reconstruction in Bad Münstereifel (Euskirchen district) in North Rhine-Westphalia. The 68-year-old met citizens, visited shops and found out about the progress of the repairs at the town hall.
As Chancellor at the time, Merkel traveled to the place devastated by the flood of the century in July 2021 and promised to come back – even if she was no longer in office. She did not officially announce her visit on Tuesday. Onlookers on the street reacted with surprise when the prominent visitor entered the “Women’s room – Beautiful hands and Tüdelü” shop.
In 2021, Angela Merkel had promised to visit the area again
Two years ago, Merkel was shocked by the destruction. Many of the 49 people who died in the disaster in NRW alone died in Bad Münstereifel. At least 135 people died in Rhineland-Palatinate. The material damage was in the tens of billions.
At the time, the chancellor promised the municipal leaders: “We won’t forget you any time soon, we’ll keep getting an idea of how things are with the reconstruction.” It is very clear “that we will need a lot of staying power here”.
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In 2021, Merkel was accompanied by the then Prime Minister Armin Laschet. The CDU politician had caused outrage nationwide at another appointment in the flood area with his laughter during a speech by the Federal President.
On Tuesday afternoon, Merkel was expected in Cologne, a good 60 kilometers away. There she was to be honored with the state’s highest award, the NRW State Prize.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
