heute journal 18.05.24 Hochwasserlage, Slowakei gespalten, Erinnerung Palast der Republik (english)

{\an2}AFTER IT'S GONE: REMEMBERING THE PALACE OF THE REPUBLIC {\an2}And now, the "heute journal" with Hanna Zimmermann and Christian Sievers. {\an2}Good evening. {\an2}The good news is that, fortunately, there has been no loss of life, {\an2}And all severe weather warnings for the southwest of Germany {\an2}have now been lifted. {\an2}But the damage in the flooded areas is immense. {\an2}In Saarland in particular, entire towns are underwater. {\an2}The situation in several places remains critical. {\an2}Felix Klauser brings us this overview on the situation this Saturday evening. {\an2}Saarland hasn't seen flooding on this scale for decades. {\an2}A federal state in a state of emergency, a federal state at the mercy of constant rain. {\an2}The next day: The waters have already receded in parts of Saarbrücken, {\an2}leaving only piles of waste, mud {\an2}and legendary Saarland ingenuity. {\an2}The cellar is completely flooded. {\an2}Here at my house, we've now emptied the cellar, {\an2}as have my neighbours everywhere. {\an2}The technical rescue service had trouble controlling even its motorised boats here {\an2}because of the immense water pressure. {\an2}Emergency and rescue teams have been in action since yesterday evening. {\an2}By this morning, they had attended over 3,000 callouts. {\an2}The area received up 100 litres of rain per square meter in less than 24 hours. {\an2}That's about twice the normal rainfall for the whole of May {\an2}There is hardly a municipality in Saarland that has not suffered damage, {\an2}according to damage reports as of Saturday evening. {\an2}Only one person has been injured. {\an2}Saarland's minister president breathed a sigh of relief. {\an2}One good thing we've seen in this terrible situation {\an2}is that Saarland is standing together. {\an2}There has been an incredible show of support on the part of many volunteers, {\an2}as well as great dedication and professionalism on the part of the emergency and rescue workers. {\an2}As Saarlanders, we can be rightly proud of this. {\an2}The flooding has put a halt to election campaigning in Saarland today. {\an2}The Chancellor visited Kleinblittersdorf {\an2}wearing rubber boots and a worried expression. {\an2}Olaf Scholz had actually come to support the Saarland SPD {\an2}ahead of the European elections. {\an2}But the focus was instead on support of other kinds. {\an2}The damage is likely to run into the millions. {\an2}Unfortunately, this is not the first time {\an2}we have had to deal with a major natural disaster here. {\an2}And so, we will of course be looking at what needs to be done here {\an2}and what is needed. {\an2}Everyone can rest assured we will do this in the best way possible. {\an2}Rhineland-Palatinate is also affected. {\an2}A dam near Trier is overflowing, {\an2}and the small village of Riveris is underwater. {\an2}Here, where the tragedy of the Ahr valley flood is still keenly felt, {\an2}there is a palpable sense of relief that the warning systems worked. {\an2}The team here is extremely well set up. {\an2}They have proven {\an2}that they have flood protection masterfully well in hand here. {\an2}Even though water levels in most places are currently falling, {\an2}and a few daredevils can't resist the urge to take a dip in the Saar, {\an2}it's still too early to give the all-clear. {\an2}In Blieskastel, after the failure of a pumping station, {\an2}floodwaters were surging through the sewerage system this evening {\an2}and threatening to flood the historic town centre. {\an2}How are things looking here? {\an2}At the moment it looks like the water is still rising very slightly. {\an2}We still have about 6 cm of headroom. {\an2}And if it gets that high, then, we'll just have to see. {\an2}Right now, it's all hands on deck and hope for the best. {\an2}Hope for some respite tonight and next week. {\an2}According to the German weather service, {\an2}the southwest can expect another bout of persistent rain from Tuesday. {\an2}Our reporter Susanne Freitag-Carteron joins us now from Blieskastel. {\an2}Susanne, what is the current situation? {\an2}They're pumping, pumping, pumping and pumping water here like's no tomorrow. {\an2}The rescue workers here have just told me they're pumping 130,000 litres of water per hour {\an2}out of the city. {\an2}And at the same time, 135,000 litres are forcing their way back in from below. {\an2}So, while the water level is not rising significantly, {\an2}it's not getting any better either. {\an2}In other words, people are working here for hours on end {\an2}to prevent the worst from happening. {\an2}Here on this street in the city centre, {\an2}people have been evacuated from their homes. {\an2}Not all of them wanted to go. {\an2}But in the end they were taken out by boat, {\an2}there really was no other way. {\an2}And now they're hoping that the water level will somehow subside, {\an2}because these pumps are broken. {\an2}They shouldn't be, but they are. {\an2}And so, that's the main focus here at the moment. {\an2}And on top of that, there is another town, in the Merzig-Wadern district, {\an2}where the situation has also deteriorated {\an2}and where there is major flooding. {\an2}And while in other places the water levels are sinking, {\an2}the situation remains tense this evening. {\an2}We've also just heard {\an2}that the next rain front is expected as soon as the coming week. {\an2}Today from political quarters there were many promises of rapid aid. {\an2}Is it even possible yet to put a figure on the damage? {\an2}The extent of the damage won't be known until the water has actually gone. {\an2}That's what many people said here today. {\an2}It's very difficult to estimate the final cost of the damage {\an2}while the cellars are still flooded and the shops are closed. {\an2}What is certain is that a huge number of people are affected. {\an2}Almost every village and municipality {\an2}has suffered damage of some kind. {\an2}We already have an initial aid response. {\an2}The ministry of finance has announced tax deferrals, {\an2}so that affected people can hold off paying their taxes for the time being. {\an2}There are also other measures. {\an2}There are appeals for donations. {\an2}There are also online platforms {\an2}to coordinate the aid response from volunteers. {\an2}So, there are some measures. {\an2}There is also the promise from Minister President Anke Rehlinger {\an2}and, to a certain extent from Chancellor Scholz as well, {\an2}that no one will be left out in the cold {\an2}and that everything will be done to compensate people appropriately. {\an2}But, as we have seen in other flood situations, {\an2}this is very complicated. {\an2}It will likely raise many difficult questions regarding insurance {\an2}and remain the number one issue here in the coming weeks and months. {\an2}But for now, another anxious night for Blieskastel and other places. {\an2}Susanne, thank you for joining us live this evening. {\an2}Slovakia's prime minister is doing a little better. {\an2}He is in a stable condition after Wednesday's assassination attempt {\an2}left him fighting for his life. {\an2}But Robert Fico is not out of the woods yet. {\an2}The state of his country remains a cause for deep concern. {\an2}Since the attack on Fico, there have been an increasing number of death threats {\an2}against government and opposition politicians alike. {\an2}What is going on there? {\an2}There is much talk of a "divided society". {\an2}But how does this manifest itself in concrete terms? {\an2}And what are the reasons? {\an2}Britta Hilpert is in Slovakia, looking for answers. {\an2}He can't be transferred yet, but he is in a stable condition, {\an2}Fico supporters outside the hospital in Banská Bystrica were told hear today. {\an2}They didn't seem reassured. {\an2}Crisis and uncertainty dominate the whole country. {\an2}Marek Madro is seeing the effects of this. {\an2}He runs a hotline for people at risk of suicide. {\an2}Today he was running a training session. {\an2}For a long time, they've only been able to answer one in 10 calls. {\an2}Although the number of hotline employees has increased tenfold in six years, {\an2}Madro urgently needs more. {\an2}Fear and anxiety are on the rise, {\an2}especially since the assassination attempt on Fico. {\an2}We are now getting a lot of calls from people crying uncontrollably. {\an2}Overall, the atmosphere here in Slovakia has become uglier, {\an2}especially in recent years. {\an2}There is a constant sense of stress and threat. {\an2}The attack on Fico is the third act of political violence in six years. {\an2}In 2018, investigative journalist Ján Kuciak {\an2}and his fiancée were shot dead. {\an2}He had been researching links between the mafia and the government. {\an2}In 2022, a right-wing extremist shot dead two people at a queer bar. {\an2}He also wanted to kill a politician. {\an2}Four murders and one attempted murder in six years. {\an2}What is the reason? {\an2}Slovakia is one of the most polarised countries in the EU, sociologist Anna Durnová explains. {\an2}The polarisation is largely driven by the political elites themselves. {\an2}The political elites are the most to blame. {\an2}They set the tone for political democratic discourse. {\an2}They must send clear signals as to what goes, {\an2}what is acceptable and what is not {\an2}Quite a lot goes in Slovakia, but dialogue is becoming increasingly rare. {\an2}Even top politicians engage in provocative, unruly behaviour. {\an2}Amid the Ukraine war, differences are becoming increasingly polarised. {\an2}As this scene shows, even Fico's deputy is prepared to use violence. {\an2}He does not take any responsibility for this brutalisation. {\an2}There is no doubt that our society needs reconciliation {\an2}and mutual respect, Robert Kalin̆ák says. {\an2}But so long as the anti-Fico rhetoric of politicians and certain media continues, {\an2}we will not make any progress. {\an2}The suspected assassin was handed over to a special court today. {\an2}His future seems clear, but Slovakia's does not. {\an2}The country seems to be trapped {\an2}in a cage of hatred and violent rhetoric of its own making. {\an2}Over to you now, Hanna, for today's headlines. {\an2}Ukraine's controversial mobilisation law came into force today. {\an2}Its purpose is to help overcome the shortfall of soldiers at the front. {\an2}Effective immediately, all Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 {\an2}must register with the military authorities, for example, at recruitment centres or online. {\an2}Those affected have 60 days to comply, after which penalties may be imposed. {\an2}The law lowers the conscription age to 25. {\an2}In Germany, the AfD leadership has taken action {\an2}in response to the ongoing investigations into AfD politician Petr Bystron. {\an2}In an e-mail disclosed to ZDF, Bystron has been told to refrain {\an2}from any further public appearances in the European election campaign. {\an2}Bystron is the number 2 candidate on the AfD 's European election list. {\an2}The accusations against him include {\an2}accepting money from Russian sources. {\an2}The Bundestag lifted his immunity on Thursday. {\an2}The public prosecutor's office is investigating suspicions {\an2}of bribery and money laundering. {\an2}"Last Generation" climate activists paralysed Munich Airport early this morning, {\an2}causing considerable travel delays. {\an2}The activists glued themselves to the taxiways {\an2}next to the runways. {\an2}As a result, flight operations were suspended for almost two hours {\an2}for safety reasons. {\an2}The police detained 10 people. {\an2}And now, to the German football Bundesliga {\an2}and the new German champions, {\an2}Bayer Leverkusen, who made history today. {\an2}The team ended its 34-match season completely unbeaten, {\an2}a feat that no other team has ever achieved before {\an2}and that makes their championship victory all the more sweet. {\an2}Unfortunately, it is now also certain {\an2}that 1. FC Cologne and Darmstadt 98 are to be relegated, {\an2}and VfL Bochum are in the relegation play-off. {\an2}More on this coming up on "das aktuelle sportstudio". {\an2}Time now for the Saturday lottery numbers. {\an2}The winning numbers are: {\an2}1, 2, 28, 36, 43, 49 {\an2}super bonus number 0. {\an2}As always, all information is without guarantee. {\an2}Time for the weather. {\an2}The German Weather Service is currently warning of severe thunderstorms {\an2}with heavy rain in Upper Bavaria. {\an2}Here's the outlook. {\an2}Long sunny spells tomorrow about the coast and in the south. {\an2}Elsewhere, partly cloudy with frequent showers and thunderstorms, severe at times. {\an2}Highs from 18 to 23 degrees. {\an2}On Whit Monday, the central regions and southeast {\an2}can expect mostly pleasant weather. {\an2}Elsewhere, conditions are unsettled. Highs from 20 to 26 degrees. {\an2}Tuesday and Wednesday bring wet and cool conditions to the southwest, {\an2}but sunny and warm weather to the northeast. {\an2}A building has disappeared from the cityscape {\an2}but not from people's minds. {\an2}How does that happen? {\an2}The general manager of the new building built on the same site {\an2}asked himself this question. {\an2}And he has answered it with an exhibition. {\an2}The exhibition is entitled "Hin und Weg" or "Blown Away" {\an2}and deals with the Palace of the Republic, {\an2}that landmark and showcase of the former GDR. {\an2}Nicknamed a "steel ghost", {\an2}an ostentatious "Palazzo Prozzo" {\an2}and "Erich Honecker's lamp shop". {\an2}Both beloved and controversial, {\an2}it was contaminated with asbestos and ultimately torn down. {\an2}And yet it lives on. {\an2}Now it is the subject of an exhibition at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin's Mitte district. {\an2}Henriette de Maizière takes us on a tour. {\an2}"Have you ever been to the Palace of the Republic?" {\an2}At the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, visitors can once again experience {\an2}at least something of the former palace {\an2}thanks to an exhibition that offers space for memories, {\an2}but also for discussion about East and West. {\an2}What artefacts are there? What are the confirmed facts? {\an2}And what about feelings and stories? {\an2}These memories that we carry within us, {\an2}perhaps because we've grown up with stories we heard stories from our parents, {\an2}even if we ourselves were born after the fall of the Wall. {\an2}It traverses so many topics that are still relevant today. {\an2}Built in 1976, the Palace of the Republic, {\an2}was one of the most important showpiece buildings of the GDR. {\an2}Everyone admires its beauty and marvels at its grandeur. {\an2}It's like a palace, only more beautiful. {\an2}For millions it was the palace of the people. {\an2}A strangely free place in an unfree country. {\an2}Parties and politics under one roof. {\an2}The seat of the Volkskammer. {\an2}It was there that the decision to join the Federal Republic was made in 1990. {\an2}And then came its end: asbestos, demolition between 2006 and 2008. {\an2}A memory. {\an2}Whether it's the New Year's Eve celebrations, Beethoven's 9th {\an2}or simply eating ice cream with the children... {\an2}Hmmm... {\an2}I miss it. {\an2}Initially I was all for the demolition and doing away with GDR past. {\an2}But then, when I saw that it was actually gone, {\an2}I was sad after all. {\an2}A place steeped in history in the heart of the city, {\an2}where the Humboldt Forum stands today. {\an2}If it were to happen again today, {\an2}would demolition of the Place of the Republic still be an option? {\an2}The Palace of the Republic wasn't a Communist Party manifesto. {\an2}It was a cultural centre. {\an2}And in that sense it worked fantastically well. {\an2}It was actually a wonderful building, {\an2}which today would immediately be protected {\an2}as a prime example of Eastern modernism. {\an2}The purpose of the exhibition is to carefully look, listen {\an2}and understand the symbolism and history of the Place of the Republic {\an2}as being relevant to the whole of Germany. {\an2}I don't think that the Palace of Republic {\an2}was a piece of GDR identity. {\an2}But it has become a symbol of the way {\an2}we dealt with and talked about the GDR. {\an2}And that's why it's an exhibition {\an2}and also a topic that arouses so many emotions. {\an2}"Blown Away". The Palace of the Republic is truly a place of the present {\an2}and the focus of this year's Berlin Humboldt Forum. {\an2}The exhibition runs until 16 February 2025. {\an2}Our today journal has come to an end, at least for this Saturday. {\an2}The next news will be here at around 12:25 AM. {\an2}We'll be back tomorrow, Whit Sunday, 9:45 PM. {\an2}And a pleasant evening to you. -Bye.

Channel: ZDFheute Nachrichten

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Keywords: Nachrichten heute, Nachrichten, ZDF, ZDF Nachrichten, ZDFheute, ZDF heute Nachrichten, aktuell, news, newsheute, ganze Sendung, heute journal, heutejournal, Saarland Hochwasser, Dauerregen im Südwesten, Überschwemmungen, Erdrutsche, Hochwasser in Baden-Württemberg, Hochwasser in Rheinland-Pfalz, Attentat Fico, Slowakei gespalten, Attentat Slowakei, Palast der Republik, Robert Fico, DDR, Ausstellung Humboldt-Forum, Erichs Lampenladen, english, subtitles, german

Id: Pfe-5hfjf38

Length: 16min 43sec (1003 seconds)

Published: Sat May 18 2024