The state government of Germany’s western Saarland province has initiated the first steps towards financial aid following the region’s devastating floods. In a meeting late on Friday evening, the Council of Ministers declared a so-called “elementary event of supra-local importance.” According to the State Chancellery, this means that state aid can be granted. In addition, municipalities could deviate from budget balancing regulations due to the extraordinary emergency situation. “The state government and local authorities are standing together – just like the whole of Saarland,” announced stat…