STORY: After massive criticism of his actions during the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, the Rhineland-Palatinate Interior Minister Roger Lewentz drew personal consequences. At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Malu Dreyer on Wednesday in Mainz, the SPD politician announced his resignation. “Today I take political responsibility for mistakes made in my area of responsibility. I have just offered our Prime Minister my resignation as Minister of State, Minister of the Interior and Minister for Sport,” she said. After the publication of videos from a police helicopter on the night of the flood, Lewentz came under increasing pressure. 134 people died in the Ahr Valley disaster last July. Lewentz should have done more to save the victims, the accusation was. The SPD politician explained that he did not see the videos that night. It hurts him to be portrayed as cold and callous. “Nobody, really nobody, could have imagined such a devastating flood disaster here in Germany. In the course of dealing with it, mistakes were certainly made in many places, including in my area of responsibility. Mistakes, but no cover-ups.” Lewentz will remain in office for a few more days, said Prime Minister Malu Dreyer. His successor will be announced in the next few days.