NRW Interior Minister Defends CDU Leader Merz Over Late Waldbrand Visit

North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul has publicly defended CDU leader Friedrich Merz against criticism regarding the timing of his visit to the forest fire-ravaged town of Hürtgenwald. Merz faced scrutiny for visiting the affected area only after concluding his vacation and after the firefighting efforts had ceased.

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The debate about who was there first, who was second, third, fourth is total nonsense.

Speaking on the WDR talk show 'Kölner Treff,' Reul dismissed the ensuing debate as "total nonsense." He argued that discussions about the sequence of visits – "who was there first, who was second, third, fourth" – are unproductive. Reul shared his own experience of visiting during the active firefighting, admitting that his presence, while intended to offer support, likely disrupted the emergency crews.

Reul recounted that he had to cancel his summer vacation due to the forest fire. He emphasized his motivation for visiting the scene, even if it meant potentially hindering the firefighters. "I wanted to show you my support – without being able to help. I can't extinguish fires," he stated, explaining his desire to reassure the affected people.

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I wanted to show you my support – without being able to help. I can't extinguish fires.

Chancellor Merz had explained his delayed visit by saying he had spoken multiple times with District Administrator Ralf Nolten (CDU) and offered to come sooner. However, Nolten reportedly advised him to wait until after the fire was extinguished. The fire in the Eifel region, which broke out in mid-August, became the largest forest fire in North Rhine-Westphalia's history, taking a week to extinguish.

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Come afterwards.