NRW Flood Investigative Committee Concludes Hearings
Three and a half years after the devastating flood in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the Parliamentary Investigative Committee in the Düsseldorf state parliament is wrapping up its hearings. The final witness scheduled to appear on Friday is Ina Scharrenbach, Minister of Construction and Municipal Affairs (CDU). Two more witnesses, Scharrenbach’s former personal liaison and her former State Secretary, Jan Heinisch, will testify before her (starting at 10:00 am).
The committee’s final report on the flood disaster of the summer of 2021 is expected to be submitted by the summer recess at the latest. The second flood investigative committee was initially scheduled to conclude in 2023. However, a legal dispute over documents between the opposition and Scharrenbach’s ministry, which was ultimately settled by the NRW Constitutional Court, delayed the conclusion.
The flood disaster, which began on the night of July 14-15, 2021, claimed 49 lives in NRW alone. It caused €13 billion in damages.
The first investigative committee into the flood began its work in October 2021, during the previous parliamentary term. It was reconvened after the 2022 state elections. The committee’s mandate was to examine the actions of authorities and identify any potential failures in the disaster response.
Witnesses in Final Hearings
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Ina Scharrenbach (CDU), Minister of Construction and Municipal Affairs: Scharrenbach is the last witness to be heard by the committee. Her testimony will focus on the actions of her ministry during the flood and any potential failures in disaster preparation and response.
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Former personal liaison: Scharrenbach’s former personal liaison is expected to provide insights into the minister’s decision-making process and communication with other government agencies during the flood.
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Jan Heinisch: Heinisch, Scharrenbach’s former State Secretary, will testify about the ministry’s disaster management plans and the implementation of those plans during the flood.
Political Context
The flood investigative committee has been the subject of political controversy throughout its existence. The opposition has accused Scharrenbach and her ministry of downplaying the severity of the flood risks and failing to adequately prepare for the disaster. Scharrenbach has defended her actions, arguing that her ministry took all necessary steps to protect the population.
Conclusion of Hearings
The conclusion of the hearings marks a significant milestone in the investigation into the NRW flood disaster. The committee’s final report is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the events leading up to the flood, the actions taken during the disaster, and any potential failures that contributed to its devastating impact.
The report will likely have political consequences, as it could lead to recommendations for changes in disaster preparedness and response measures. It will also serve as a historical record of the disaster and the lessons learned from it.
