Bavaria raises flood relief funds to 200 million.
Recent heavy floods in South Germany claimed four lives in Bavaria, with over two dozen others injured and two people still missing. Accumulated insurance damages are estimated to be around two billion euros, the German Association of the Insurance Industry (GDV) reported.
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder has renewed his plea for federal support. Together with his counterpart from Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann (Greens), he sent a joint letter to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). Söder stressed the need for the government to keep its promise of assistance.
As the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg bore the brunt of the South Flood, the two leaders demand the same level of support as in previous cases. They're also pushing for the implementation of mandatory natural disaster insurance.
Mandatory natural disaster insurance safeguards policyholders against damage caused by nature, including hail, storms with a wind force of eight or more, flooding, earthquakes, landslides, or snow pressure. Per GDV data, more than half of the private households in Germany have such coverage.
High-level talks between the federal government and the states are arranged for June 20th. Free Democrats (FDP) within the traffic light coalition express reservations about the proposed compulsory insurance requirement.
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The CSU, along with their counterparts from Baden-Württemberg, has requested flood aid of up to 200 million euros from the federal government. Winfried Kretschmann, the leader of Baden-Württemberg, joined forces with Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder in sending a letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The General Association of the German Insurance Industry (GDV) reported that the damages from the floods in Southern Germany are estimated to be around two billion euros. Söder emphasized the importance of the federal government keeping its promise of assistance, as the floods have caused significant damage in Bavaria. The GDV also noted that more than half of private households in Germany have mandatory natural disaster insurance, which covers damages from events like floods. The high-level talks between the federal government and the states about the flood aid and mandatory natural disaster insurance are scheduled for June 20th. However, there are reservations within the traffic light coalition regarding the proposed compulsory insurance requirement.
