BERLIN
German chancellor candidate, Armin Laschet, apologized Saturday for laughing during a visit to a flood-hit region amid growing social-media criticism.
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.
Hab's mal groß gemacht. #Laschet findet Flutkatastrophen offenbar recht witzig. 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/5Jvj5dgdya
— Susanne (@susannnesorgen) July 17, 2021
Laschet apologized 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.
Lacht Steinmeier da etwa auch? Just sayin‘ #Laschetlacht pic.twitter.com/XmpEhAA7DB
— Jonatan (@Jonatan_Henri02) July 17, 2021
The country’s biggest natural disaster in recent history is seen as a difficult test for the conservative politician ahead of the polls.
