Peter Tschentscher on the CDU’s push to reverse climate decisions “You can’t face a referendum like that now!”
Politicians must find ways to implement climate decisions in a socially acceptable way, the mayor said.
Martin Fischer/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Hamburg must become climate neutral by 2040!
Citizens decide this through a referendum. However, the CDU has other plans and wants to reverse the decision. But for the first mayor, Peter Tschentscher, one thing is clear today: the people’s decision must be implemented.
Tschentscher rejected the CDU’s plans
“There is a decision here that we now have to accept,” stressed Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) in an RTL Nord autumn interview on Wednesday (19 November). Tschentscher believes that the CDU’s move to cancel the Hamburg referendum was inappropriate. “You can’t have a referendum like that now. The turnout was quite high and the majority said that we should change the climate protection law,” he explained.
The CDU fears dire consequences
The basic question: When should the Hanseatic city become climate neutral? 2040 instead of 2045 – this is what the people of Hamburg voted for in the future decision in October. But the CDU now wants to change it again! AOn December 10, the party plans to submit a draft amendment to the citizen’s voting law, according to CDU chairman Dennis Thering.
The party fears a devastating impact on the city’s economy and social peace if Hamburg becomes climate neutral as early as 2040. To pass the proposal, the CDU relies on votes from the ruling SPD.
Video tip: Entire interview with Peter Tschentscher
Politicians must accept the referendum
Peter Tschentscher hopes for support from his party. “That was the goal of this popular law, so we are now making it policy and trying to implement it as intended.” Suddenly opposing it a few weeks after the referendum is not a big deal.
Reading tips: Tschentscher: “We must prepare for the fact that there may be a military operation against Germany”
However, the First Mayor was not completely uncritical of the referendum: “We will do the tests and in time perhaps we will come to a conclusion and say: This is not going to work.” But he is confident that the necessary climate targets will be met on many fronts. He wants to “implement the referendum as it was formulated: more climate protection, but in a socially acceptable way and without disrupting the prosperity and quality of life in Hamburg.”
Sources used: RTL’s own research
