Compensation Measures for Job Loss of Former Council Member Under Investigation

Ahr Valley Flood Disaster details are provided here. Meanwhile, a disciplinary action concerns the pension of a former district administrator, discussed under the title 'Retirement Pay Review for Former District Administrator'.

, and Administrator

2025 September 12 . 10:44 AM

1 min read

Compensation measures are initiated to offset the job termination of a former Council member

Compensation Measures for Job Loss of Former Council Member Under Investigation

In a recent turn of events, Olaf Langhanki, lawyer to Jürgen Pfoehler, the former district chairman of Ahr, has accused Interior Minister Thomas Ebling of blatant illegality.

Langhanki's claims stem from a decree issued by the Ministry of the Interior on August 8, which ordered the temporary withholding of one-third of Pfoehler's pension. This action, according to Langhanki, is an attempt by Ebling to shift responsibility from himself onto Pfoehler, particularly in the aftermath of the flood disaster and its consequences.

The disciplinary proceedings against Pfoehler were communicated to him in July of this year, and the hearing took place in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. Langhanki suggests that these proceedings, and Ebling's premature action, are part of a distraction campaign aimed at diverting attention from potential failures of the former SPD-led state government in the run-up to the state election.

Pfoehler was given the opportunity to request further investigations and to comment on the report, but it is unclear whether he has chosen to do so. Langhanki has stated that the matter will be clarified in a possible court proceeding, should a disciplinary complaint be filed.

Ebling, for his part, has not yet issued a public response to these allegations. The German Press Agency has reached out to his office for comment, but as of this writing, no response has been received.

This development comes at a critical time for the German government, as they navigate the aftermath of the flood disaster and prepare for upcoming elections. The public will be closely watching to see how this situation unfolds and what, if any, consequences may arise for those involved.