In the final parliamentary session of the year, the Hamburg Climate Referendum once again ignited heated discussions. Motions from the AfD and CDU, aiming to overturn the public’s decision for Hamburg to become climate-neutral by 2040, were ultimately rejected.
Parliament Upholds Climate Referendum
The Hamburg Parliament on Wednesday rejected two separate motions from the AfD and CDU, who had unsuccessfully called for the non-implementation of the public referendum. Only the CDU members voted in favor of their party’s motion, and the AfD’s motion also received support solely from its own ranks. Weeks prior, the CDU had anticipated that some SPD members might also support overturning the referendum, but the red-green coalition and The Left party stood united behind the public vote.
Thering Appeals to SPD Members
First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) remained silent during the debate, reviewing documents from the Senate bench. This drew criticism from the CDU parliamentary group leader, Dennis Thering, who directly addressed the Mayor: “Actually, it was your duty today to finally show your true colors in this crucial debate for Hamburg. The future of our city is at stake.” Tschentscher only reacted when Thering also predicted the premature end of the red-green Senate, to which the SPD Mayor merely smiled.
Earlier, CDU parliamentary group leader Dennis Thering had urged SPD members to support the CDU’s motion to prevent harm to the city. SPD parliamentary group leader Dirk Kienscherf firmly rejected this, stating that his party takes the public referendum seriously.
Fegebank Holds CDU Accountable
Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank (Greens) represented the Senate and promptly held the CDU accountable for the success of the climate goals: “We need a CDU that collectively steps up for climate protection. Mr. Thering, pull yourself together.”
Fegebank argued that the CDU’s “doom-mongering, fear-mongering, and doomsday scenarios” were causing frustration among citizens “at a time when democracy is under pressure.” She called on the CDU to jointly address the significant challenges arising from the public referendum.
Michael Gwosdz, co-chairman of the Green parliamentary group, stated that Hamburg’s citizens had made an informed decision to accelerate climate neutrality. He added that the CDU’s motion was effectively calling them foolish. Stephan Jersch, environmental expert for The Left, accused the CDU of launching a largely “fact-free” fear campaign.
AfD Calls for a Second Referendum
The AfD, which rejects the climate neutrality target for both 2040 and 2045, advocated for a second public referendum to secure the city’s prosperity. “The implementation of this climate referendum is, plainly and simply, the economic and industrial policy suicide of this city on an open stage. It is the path to poverty for Hamburg’s citizens,” said AfD parliamentary group leader Dirk Nockemann.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/hamburger-klimaentscheid-wird-nicht-einkassiert,buergerschaft-144.html
