Two candidates, vying for the German chancellorship from opposing sides of the political spectrum will Tuesday pay a joint visit to a region west of Cologne that was hit by devastating floods in mid-June.

Armin Laschet, the Christian Democrat (CDU) leader, bidding to succeed Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, Finance Minister in Merkel’s cabinet, who is heading the Social Democrats (SPD) into the elections were to visit Stolberg near Aachen.

The two candidates were to view the clean-up work and to meet business people affected by the storms and flooding that struck in mid-July.

Scholz was to raise the possibility of federal financing for businesses hit by the floods.

More than a week ago, he indicated that federal funding set aside to help companies through the pandemic could be extended to firms affected by the floods.

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The CDU goes into the Sept. 26 elections in the lead, although Laschet personally has taken a hit to his popularity over the effects of the floods in North-Rhine Westphalia, the state where he is premier.

The SPD, currently partners in Merkel’s grand coalition, is trailing in third place behind the Greens.