European Floods will Shape the Future of Politics

Recent floods have caused a numbers of victims and structural damages around Western Europe. Despite recent voting intention dropping down for the German Green Party, this recent event could change the political race this September.

Record-breaking damages and victims

Western Europe was hit recently by catastrophic floods; Germany and Belgium were amongst the worst countries affected. Moreover, the casualties were 170 deaths and 1,300 missing people. With 143 confirmed deaths, Germany has the highest number of victims.

North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate are amongst the worst damage provinces. Moreover in Belgium around 30,000 homes did not have access to drinking water while 17,150 thousand homes were left without electricity over the weekend following the fallout of the heavy rain.

The water levels in some of parts Germany were three times the monthly average. In addition, mudslides and flash floods caused damages that have not be seen for the past 100 years. According to Reuters, the expected economic damage is around six billions dollars, with two to three billion euros cost in reinsurance industry.

Impact on elections

The North Rhine-Westphalia province was one of the worst hit by the floods, and the premier of the region is acknowledging the environmental problems. Moreover Armin Laschet (premier of the region) has called to accelerate the fight for climate change.

“We will be faced with such events over and over, and that means we need to speed up climate production measures…because climate change isn’t defined to one state.”Armin Laschet claimed to BBC

This tragedy comes shortly after the last poll shown the Green Party losing steam, and dropping in voting intention. Thus the fallout from the floods holds a strong chance of affecting the voting outcome in September 2021 to the Green Party’s side and their fight for climate change.

In addition, recent plans for a better sustainable world have been unveiled by the E-U. Some of the measures proposed are; tax on jet fuel, development of Green aviation, and being able to reach carbon neutral by 2050.

“The fact that other parts of the northern hemisphere are currently suffering record-breaking heatwaves and fires should serve as a reminder of just how much more dangerous our weather could become in an ever-warmer world.”Hannah Cloke, professor of Hydrology at the University of Reading said to Forbes

The recent wildfires in North America and the floods in Western Europe will have an impact on future elections. France is set to elect a new president in 2022, and Germany a new chancellor in September of 2021. German Green parties will use these events as a fuel for their campaign, and will gain stronger support amongst the population.

A swing vote toward Green candidates and more effective environmental policies could see a potential increase within the next few years, and around the world. Furthermore these events could potentially change the shape of the political world and affect the future generation on their voting decision.