Status: 07/18/2021 4:45 a.m.
Federal Finance Minister Scholz wants to help the victims of the flood disaster with more than 300 million euros. The first payments from the federal government to those affected are to be made in July. Minister of Economic Affairs Altmaier pleaded for a “corona flood flat rate”.
After the flood disaster in western Germany, Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz promised emergency aid in the three-digit million range.
On Wednesday he wanted to present the plan for emergency aid to the federal cabinet, said the SPD politician of “Bild am Sonntag”. During the previous flood disaster, emergency aid from the federal government of “well over 300 million euros” was necessary: ”So much is surely needed again now.”
Infrastructure development program
Scholz also wants to propose to the cabinet a multi-billion dollar development program for the affected regions in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. The destroyed houses, roads and bridges should be repaired quickly. “As we know from the previous catastrophe, billions of euros are involved,” said the finance minister.
“It takes a national show of strength,” emphasized Scholz. The damage is immense. “Anyone who has lost their business or their house cannot bear the damage alone. We now have to stand together as a country and help the flood victims quickly, generously and unbureaucratically,” emphasized the minister.
Countries should distribute money
According to Scholz, the emergency aid from the federal government is to be paid out via the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is best to decide on site who needs support most urgently. According to the minister, things should go quickly. “As early as July, the first emergency aid should be given to those affected, if possible,” he explained.
The construction aid needs a little more time: “But everything should be in place this year.” Scholz had already said that aid should go to the federal states, the districts, the municipalities and also the citizens. Chancellor Angela Merkel had also promised those affected by the federal government.
Tax breaks are also planned
According to Scholz, the federal government does not have to take out new loans for the flood aid: “We can do what is now necessary with the funds that are now available to us.” Experience has shown that the funds for the reconstruction would be required gradually in the coming years, “we will do that”.
According to the finance minister, the federal government wants to accommodate the flood victims with tax relief: “Payments are deferred, there are also special depreciation regulations.” In addition, the Vice Chancellor urges that reconstruction be accelerated. “That’s why I want destroyed buildings, bridges and roads to be rebuilt without planning procedures.”
Altmaier wants to help companies hit twice
Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier proposes a lump sum of up to 10,000 euros for companies affected by the flood disaster and the corona crisis. “I advocate a corona flood lump sum of up to 10,000 euros for companies that have been hit twice as badly,” said the CDU politician of “Bild am Sonntag”.
The livelihoods of many companies in the tourism and wine-growing areas have been destroyed, said the CDU politician. But he also expects the insurance companies to quickly pay out the damage sums and that the business partners of the companies that have been hit will be accommodating.