Climate Protection Initiative by the Greens Rejected - Saxony-Anhalt rejects Green Party’s climate bill ahead of 2026 election
Saxony-Anhalt's state parliament has rejected a climate protection bill proposed by the Green Party. The draft legislation aimed to introduce binding measures across various sectors, including energy, industry, and agriculture. The next state election is scheduled for September 2026.
Several speakers from the ruling center-right coalition, comprising CDU, SPD, and FDP, expressed doubts about the need for a dedicated climate law. They also considered its passage before the end of the current legislative term unrealistic. Armin Willingmann, the SPD's candidate for the 2026 state election and current Minister for Science, Energy, Climate Protection, and Environment, argued that Saxony-Anhalt is already making strong progress on climate action. He pointed to the planned energy storage strategy and the newly adopted public participation law to accelerate wind power expansion.
Wolfgang Aldag, climate policy spokesperson for the Green Party, countered that voluntary action on climate protection has not been sufficient. He proposed the climate protection bill to push for more ambitious targets and binding measures.
The state parliament's rejection of the climate protection bill leaves the future of climate policy in Saxony-Anhalt uncertain. With the next state election more than three years away, the debate on climate action is set to continue. The SPD's Armin Willingmann, who is expected to lead the party's campaign in 2026, will likely play a significant role in shaping the conversation around climate policy in the coming years.
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