Minister of Home Affairs in Mainz reduces ex-councillor Pföhler's pension: Charged with serious dereliction of duty during Ahrtal flood disaster

In the aftermath of the devastating Ahr Valley flood disaster in 2021, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior has made serious accusations against former district administrator Jürgen Pfoehler (CDU). The disciplinary procedure against Pfoehler was initiated shortly after the disaster by the disciplinary authority ADD.

The interior ministry concluded that Pfoehler "gravely and comprehensively violated his duty through his behavior and inaction," committing serious misconduct. Specifically, Pfoehler was accused of failing to fulfill his leadership responsibility as the overall responsible administrative-political figure and overall deployment leader during the flood disaster.

The state criminal office's investigations into Pfoehler's whereabouts and actions during the flood night revealed that he moved his Porsche and personal belongings to safety, but only appeared in the crisis management leadership twice. His poor reachability, sometimes for hours, was seen by the investigators as a significant reason for the late issuance of the major catastrophe alarm with evacuation orders.

The disaster protection system in the Ahrweiler district, for which Pfoehler is responsible, was found to be "severely flawed." More than 80 people died in the meter-high floods alone in the lower Ahr region, and the disaster resulted in the death of 136 people and one person is still missing.

Pfoehler's lawyer, Olaf Langhanki, maintains that there is nothing to the accusations against Pfoehler and that the interior ministry's action is "a purely political move" to distract from the role of the then state government. Pfoehler has stated through his lawyer that he will ensure that the failure of the then state government, the then interior minister, and the ADD will be specifically addressed.

The interior ministry has already ordered the withholding of one-third of Pfoehler's pension due to his serious misconduct. After the completion of the disciplinary procedure, if the legal situation does not change, a disciplinary complaint for the cancellation of Pfoehler's pension will be filed with the administrative court of Trier.

Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) reported on the results of the procedure in the interior committee of the Mainz state parliament. The final report of the disciplinary procedure, which was based on over 10,000 pages of files, the final report of the public prosecutor's office, and the results of the investigative committee on the Ahr Valley flood disaster, has now been completed.

However, the interior ministry's report remained silent on the warning of the population and the possible rescue of human lives, but stated that Pfoehler's actions contributed to these failures. The accusations come after the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz discontinued the criminal proceedings against Pfoehler without an indictment. The disciplinary procedure was suspended due to the investigations by the Koblenz public prosecutor's office, but was resumed in October 2024.

Pfoehler was not actively involved in crisis management work after the July 2021 Ahrtal flood disaster; he delayed declaring a disaster situation, was largely absent from operational leadership during the critical hours, and was criticized for failing to exercise his leadership duties in the crisis.

Despite these accusations, Pfoehler's lawyer maintains that his pension is "untouchable." The outcome of the disciplinary procedure and any potential legal challenges will determine the final decision on Pfoehler's pension and his role in the Ahr Valley flood disaster.

Minister of Home Affairs in Mainz reduces ex-councillor Pföhler's pension: Charged with serious dereliction of duty during Ahrtal flood disaster