Berlin (Germany), April 12: Anne Spiegel, Germany's federal minister for family affairs, resigned from office on Monday following criticism of her handling of the flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate in July 2021.
Ten days after the floods that destroyed entire villages and left over 180 people dead, Spiegel, who was environment minister of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate at the time, left the country for a four-week family vacation in France, returning only for a single day to visit the affected area.
"I have decided today, due to political pressure, to make the office of federal family minister available. I am doing this to avert damage to the office, which is facing major political challenges," the Green Party politician said in a ministry statement.
Spiegel already described the vacation as a mistake on Sunday evening and apologized for it. In doing so, she also admitted that, contrary to what had originally been communicated, she had not joined cabinet meetings from her vacation.
"I have great respect for Family Minister Anne Spiegel's decision," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said via Twitter. "We had a close and trusting cooperation."
The Green Party leadership also welcomed her resignation. "We will very soon, promptly, submit a proposal for the successor," said co-leader Omid Nouripour. Spiegel had done a good job and had now taken responsibility, he said.
Source: Xinhua