Millions are left unprotected as federal states neglect flood prevention measures.
In Germany's efforts to clean up after devastating floods, concerns are rising about the lack of investment in flood protection measures. Despite this, not all states are being accused of these shortcomings. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, for example, have not held back too much federal funding for flood defense. However, they have only utilized half of the federal funds made available for this purpose, even after experiencing past disasters.
The German Bundestag's budget committee received an overview from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture regarding the usage of the Special Program Plan's annual funds designated for preventive flood protection. According to a report by "Rheinische Post," only 59 million euros out of the 100 million euros were utilized by the federal states last year. This trend has been consistent over the past few years, with states usually withdrawing 54-60 million euros from the 100 million euros allocated annually.
These funds are supposed to be utilized for renovating dikes, creating more flooding areas on major rivers, and constructing flood retention basins and polders for better flood protection. However, even states that frequently experience floods on rivers, like North Rhine-Westphalia, didn't use all available funding. The state withdrew just 1.8 million euros out of 4.9 million euros last year. In the year prior, their withdrawal was below 10%.
Meanwhile, in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where severe flooding has caused considerable damage, the respective states have made full use of the federal funds. Bavaria received 23 million euros and Baden-Württemberg received 17 million euros.
The effects of the flood disaster may be felt in the upcoming European elections on Sunday. Due to flood damage, some polling stations will have to be relocated, and in certain areas, town halls are still inoperable. In such situations, provisional local administrations have been set up. Conversations with election officials in these impacted areas suggest a smooth conduct of the election.
Residents can vote at their designated polling stations on election day. Alternatively, people who have already applied for postal voting can opt to cast their ballot at the polling station, using both a ballot paper and their ID card.
Those who have misplaced their election documents due to floods or not received them yet should contact their municipalities promptly to request new ones. To make the process more convenient, these residents can fill out their postal ballots at the municipality itself, and then return them there. However, ballot papers can still be issued by Bavaria's state electoral officer, Thomas Gößl, until Saturday noon. Along with the European election, Bavarians will also vote for district councils, five mayors, and 14 citizen initiatives on Sunday.
Read also:
- Despite the lack of investment in flood prevention measures by some federal states, European elections are approaching, and some polling stations in areas affected by floods will need to be relocated.
- In the aftermath of devastating floods, concerns about funding for flood defense are rising, with some states, like North Rhine-Westphalia, not utilizing all the allocated funds for preventive measures.
- In contrast, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, which have been affected by severe flooding, have fully utilized the federal funds made available for flood defense, even though they only received half of the allocated amount.
- Tidal waves of floodwater have affected rivers and lakes across Germany, leading to a massive tidal wave of concerns about the lack of investments in flood prevention measures before the next elections.
- The Federal Ministry of Economics has a crucial role in promoting investments that can help mitigate the effects of flood disasters and ensure better flood protection for all German states.
