Merkel Forced Into Damage Control Mode After Laschet’s Gaffe

Heir-apparent seen laughing while visiting flood victims
More than 130 dead as parts of western Germany devastated

Armin Laschet laughs while President Steinmeier gives a press statement in North Rhine-Westphalis, Erftstadt on July 17.Photographer: Marius Becker/picture alliance/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Vanessa Dezem and Tony Czuczka

July 17, 2021 at 7:30 PM UTC

Updated on

July 18, 2021 at 11:18 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is spending Sunday visiting areas devastated by flooding last week while doing damage control of her own after a gaffe by her heir-apparent a day earlier.

Armin Laschet, who heads Merkel’s governing conservative party and is its candidate to succeed her in September’s election, was filmed Saturday laughing in the background while German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier promised aid to flood victims.