German chancellor candidate hopeful apologises for laughing during visit to deadly flood zone
Bernama
July 18, 2021 10:28 MYT
July 18, 2021 10:28 MYT
German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader, Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia and candidate for Chancellor Armin Laschet attends the ARD Sommerinterview in Berlin, Germany, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Christian Mang
BERLIN: German chancellor candidate, Armin Laschet, apologised Saturday for laughing during a visit to a flood-hit region amid growing social-media criticism, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
A widely shared video showed Laschet joking with colleagues and laughing while President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was holding a news conference, expressing solidarity and sympathy to victims.
Laschet apologised in a tweet and thanked Steinmeier for his visit and support for residents.
"I regret the impression that was created during a conversation. This was inappropriate and I am sorry," he said.
Germany's worst floods in more than 200 years have claimed more than 140 lives and caused widespread devastation in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Laschet, who has been the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia since 2017, is also the front-runner in the race to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor in national elections in September.
The country's biggest natural disaster in recent history is seen as a difficult test for the conservative politician ahead of the polls.
-- BERNAMA