Proposal demanded for worker safety regulation against radiation exposure risks, as instructed by the Commission.
In the summer of 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate was hit by a devastating flood that claimed the lives of 135 people within the state. Among the events of that tragic night, the name of Jürgen Pfoehler, the former Landrat of Ahrweiler, has become inextricably linked.
Pfoehler served in his position from February 2000 until August 2021. During his tenure, he was elected multiple times and was actively engaged in the region. However, during the flood disaster, criticism arose that he prioritised his personal affairs over his duties.
Investigations by the investigative committee and statements from helpers revealed that Pfoehler failed to adequately perform central tasks as head of civil protection on the evening of the flood. He was repeatedly unreachable during the disaster, and it was alleged that he attended to his private property instead of coordinating measures to protect the population.
The Koblenz Public Prosecutor's Office initiated a criminal investigation against Pfoehler, but it was discontinued in 2024. Nevertheless, the independent authority conducting the disciplinary proceedings against Pfoehler, the Ministry of the Interior of Rhineland-Palatinate, found "serious breaches of duty" during the catastrophe, particularly inadequate crisis management and absence during the night of the disaster.
As a result, on September 3, 2025, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior reduced Pfoehler's pension by a third. For many affected by the flood, this is a meager consolation, as Pfoehler's name remains synonymous with the events of that fateful night.
An expert called Pfoehler a "systemic disruptor," but the question remains whether his leadership during the flood disaster lived up to that title. As the investigation and disciplinary proceedings continue, the legacy of Pfoehler's tenure in Ahrweiler remains a subject of ongoing debate.
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