Ramelow Advocates for State-Backed Natural Hazard Insurance

Leader of the country's government. - Ramelow Advocates for State-Backed Natural Hazard Insurance

Thuringia's Prime Minister, Bodo Ramelow, envisions potential individual actions by federal states in the case of mandatory insurance for natural disasters if there's no agreement with the federal government on this matter. In this scenario, the federal states could draft a bill through the Bundesrat, which would mainly apply to flood damage. This draft would then be discussed in the Bundestag. "We need collaborative protection," remarked Ramelow on Tuesday in Erfurt.

Ramelow anticipates the topic of mandatory insurance for natural disasters to be tackled during the Prime Ministers' Conference with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on June 20. "The damages demonstrate that this topic is extremely relevant," he emphasized.

Several European countries have had regulations for natural disasters for years. The specifics of a compulsory insurance, including for high-risk areas, should be discussed after the initial decision is made.

Ramelow strongly opposes insurance solutions at the state level, as he deems them counterproductive. This approach would lead to a hodgepodge of regulations. Floods, and therefore the risk of structural damage, do not respect state borders.

The Federal Justice Ministry has maintained a negative stance towards a compulsory insurance for natural disasters. Such an obligation would be "accompanied by substantial financial burdens for many households," stated a ministry spokesperson in Berlin on Monday.

The federal states had previously asked the federal government over a year ago to present a proposal for a federal legislative law on implementing a mandatory insurance.

A working group comprising representatives from both federal and state governments is said to present their findings before the next meeting of Prime Ministers and Prime Ministers with the Federal Chancellor, according to information from the Federal Justice Ministry.

Read also:

1. The Federal Council is yet to take a definitive stance on the proposal for state-backed natural hazard insurance, as advocated by Thuringia's Prime Minister, Bodo Ramelow.
2. In the absence of an agreement with the Federal Government, Bodo Ramelow suggest that Thuringia, alongside other federal states, could enact compulsory insurance for natural disasters via a bill in the Bundesrat.
3. If this bill is passed, Bundesrat discussions will subsequently move to the Bundestag, focusing primarily on flood damage and potential solutions.
4. The Federal Ministry of Justice has expressed opposition to compulsory insurance for natural disasters, citing substantial financial burdens for households as a concern.
5. Bodo Ramelow argues against insurance solutions at the state level, fearing a fragmented regulatory landscape that would not adequately address the transboundary nature of natural hazards, such as floods.
6. The Federal Government has failed to present a proposal for a federal legislative law on a mandatory insurance for natural disasters, as requested by several federal states over a year ago.
7. The Federal Ministry of Justice has revealed that a joint working group, composed of federal and state government representatives, is set to release their findings before the next Prime Ministers' Conference with the Federal Chancellor.

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