Angela Merkel
Chancellor speaks of a “ghostly” situation
Angela Merkel with Malu Dreyer (r.) In the community of Schuld.
© getty / CHRISTOF STACHE / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
Angela Merkel visited Eifel communities on Sunday that were particularly hard hit by the flood disaster.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (67, CDU) visited the flood-affected areas in Rhineland-Palatinate this Sunday (July 18). After an appointment in the Eifel community of Schuld, which has been particularly hard hit by the flood disaster, Merkel made a statement together with Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (60, SPD) in Adenau in the Ahrweiler district.
The Chancellor described the situation as “surreal and ghostly.” “The German language hardly knows any words for this devastation,” she said, emphasizing: “Germany is a strong country. Merkel promised that the cabinet would decide on a package of short, medium and long-term aid for those affected on Wednesday. The citizens asks them to donate money for those affected, this is currently the most helpful. Merkel also announced that she would visit the affected areas again in August.
Steinmeier: “Your fate tears our hearts apart”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (65, SPD) had already visited the disaster areas in North Rhine-Westphalia on Saturday. At the side of the NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet (60, CDU), he spoke to assistants in the particularly hard hit district of Rhein-Erft.
“Your fate tears our hearts apart,” said Steinmeier in a short address. He mourns with everyone who has lost their relatives, friends and acquaintances. In the direction of the helpers, Steinmeier added that he wanted to express heartfelt thanks on behalf of all Germans. It is a time of need and in this “our country stands together”. The damage is great and the clean-up work will take a long time.