“I’m really speechless,” said SPD General Secretary Lars Klingbeil on Saturday on Twitter and linked to a video that was circulating on the Internet. In it, Laschet laughs in the background with bystanders for about half a minute, while the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier promises help to those affected in the disaster region.
How the CDU chancellor candidate Laschet “fools around” in the background, is “indecent and outrageous,” said Klingbeil of “Bild am Sonntag” (“BamS”). “In times of crisis, it is said that character shows itself. Anyone who sneers around in such difficult situations without feeling will disqualify themselves,” emphasized the SPD general secretary.
“It was inappropriate and I’m sorry”
Laschet apologized on Twitter that evening: “The fate of those affected is close to our hearts, and we have heard about it in many conversations,” wrote the Union’s candidate for chancellor. “All the more I regret the impression created by the conversation. This was inappropriate and I am sorry.”
Criticism of Laschet’s behavior also came from the FDP. Bundestag parliamentary group vice Michael Theurer told the “BamS”: “Rhenish cheerful nature in honor”, but it does not do justice to the seriousness of the situation, “fooling around” while the Federal President is commemorating the victims.
Steinmeier and Laschet made a joint visit to Erftstadt to get an idea of the situation. The Erft, which had overflowed, washed down numerous houses in the village and caused them to collapse. Several houses and parts of a historic castle also collapsed there due to landslides.
