Merkelâs Would-Be Heir Faces Lawsuit Over State Climate Policies Jul 05 2021, 6:17 PM July 05 2021, 5:14 PM July 05 2021, 6:17 PM (Bloomberg) -- Armin Laschetâs administration in North Rhine-Westphalia was sued over claims itâs failing to do enough to combat climate change, a test of the environmental credentials of the front-runner to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor. (Bloomberg) -- Armin Laschetâs administration in North Rhine-Westphalia was sued over claims itâs failing to do enough to combat climate change, a test of the environmental credentials of the front-runner to succeed Angela Merkel as German chancellor. The case brought by two juveniles and two young adults is one of a series of suits against three German states and backed by environmental group DUH. Laschetâs government watered down a climate law last week by removing nearly all instruments that had a clear deadline and would ensure targets are met, Remo Klinger, a lawyer for DUH, told reporters in Berlin on Monday.