Merz faces down protesters at burnt forest as he thanks fire crews

Dusseldorf [Germany], August 23: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz thanked emergency crews who subdued a raging wildfire in western Germany on Saturday and defended his decision not to visit earlier.
Merz was criticized by opposition lawmakers and protesters stood at the site as he visited in person two days after the blaze was fully extinguished, in his first public appearance since his summer break.
"Without the cooperation between all those involved, things would not have turned out so well," Merz said, referring to the many emergency service personnel - including volunteers - from the fire service, the Federal Agency or Technical Relief (THW) and the German armed forces, as well as workers from the agricultural and forestry sectors. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune