Proposal for a worker radiation safety directive requested by the Commission due to risks posed by ionizing radiation.

In the summer of 2021, Rhineland-Palatinate was hit by a catastrophic flood that claimed the lives of 135 people. Amidst the tragedy, the actions of Jürgen Pfohler, the former Landrat of the district of Ahrweiler, have been under scrutiny.

Pfohler, who served in his position from February 2000 to August 2021, was in charge of civil protection during the disaster. Investigations by the investigative committee and statements from helpers revealed that Pfohler failed to adequately fulfill central tasks as head of civil protection on the evening of the flood. Criticism arose that he was unreachable and did not directly lead the deployment for an extended period.

An expert called Pfohler a "systemic disruptor," citing the serious breaches of duty discovered during the disaster, particularly inadequate crisis management and absence during the night of the disaster. The state of emergency was declared very late, at a time when many people were already in mortal danger.

Despite these findings, the Koblenz Public Prosecutor's Office initiated a preliminary investigation against Pfohler but discontinued it in 2024 due to lack of criminally relevant behavior. However, for many affected by the flood, Pfohler's name remains inseparable from the events of the flood night.

In a move that some might find as a meager consolation, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior reduced Pfohler's pension by a third on September 3, 2025. The search results do not provide information about the leader of the investigation commission that dealt with Pfohler's actions during the flood disaster.

Despite the controversy surrounding his actions during the flood, it's important to note that Pfohler was elected directly several times and actively engaged in the region. However, the impact of the flood disaster and the questions surrounding Pfohler's leadership have left a lasting impression on the community.

As the region continues to recover, the lessons learned from the flood disaster and the role of leadership during such crises remain a topic of ongoing discussion and reflection.