After increasing criticism of his behavior during the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley, the Rhineland-Palatinate Interior Minister Roger Lewentz has announced his resignation. “Today I take political responsibility for mistakes made in my area of ​​responsibility,” said the SPD politician in Mainz.

Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD) will soon announce the successor to Lewentz. “He will remain in office for a few more days,” she said, adding: “You can assume that I will make public who is following Roger Lewentz in the next few days.”

When asked about his chairmanship of the SPD in Rhineland-Palatinate, Lewentz said he was elected until the next party conference in 2023. He added: “I’m taking a break now and will then discuss it with the committees.”