Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) has proposed amending the Basic Law to grant the federal government greater authority in climate adaptation. Both the Green Party and the Left Party have responded positively to this call, indicating they could help reach the required two-thirds majority in the Bundestag for such a constitutional change.
Katharina Dröge, the Green Party’s parliamentary group leader, confirmed that her party has long demanded this type of reform and would naturally support it. However, she added that federal support for municipalities regarding heat protection must be improved, and criticized the black-red governing coalition for “undermining climate protection laws in Germany.”
Similarly, Fabian Fahl, spokesman for the Left Party on climate policy, signaled positive reception to Schneider’s initiative, stating that the federal government needs to increase its involvement in climate adaptation and heat protection. While the proposal marks a step in the right direction, the Left Party is still assessing whether they will support the constitutional amendment itself.
Fahl cautioned that enhancing the financial freedom and resources available to local communities is more crucial than altering the Basic Law. He noted that a constitutional amendment is largely ineffective if the government is unwilling to cover the associated costs.
For the proposed Basic Law amendment to pass, a two-thirds consensus is needed in both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. The current black-red coalition would need the backing of both the Green and Left parties to secure the necessary support in the Bundestag.
