Kommentar: Hitzeschutz – Merz reicht die Verantwortung an die Bürger weiter
Der Kanzler verpasst die Chance, den Schutz vor der Hitze zur Regierungsaufgabe zu machen – und erklärt ihn stattdessen zur Privatsache. Das ist keine Klimapolitik.
Germany witnessed a tragic toll of 14,000 lives lost in 2026 due to extreme heat. In a typical situation, this would have prompted a Bundestag emergency session and the search for solutions. However, federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz failed to take responsibility. Despite having the chance to address a forest fire in Hürtgenwald, North Rhine-Westphalia, in mid-August, his visit came too late as the fires were already extinguished.
Merz's subsequent remarks did not improve the situation: "We must be prepared to face more such events. This is climate change." He identified the problem but did not follow through with necessary consequences. During the Bundesregierung's closing day, Merz emphasized reforms and growth, but his response to the heat crisis was insufficient.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
